“Want is an open grave that needs to be constantly filled.”

This quote has stayed with me for days since finishing Jessica Patch’s psychological thriller, The Other Sister. Patch’s characters are constantly on the move figuring out ways to keep shovelling.

You’ll meet Charlotte Kane who is struggling to make ends meet in Chicago when she learns that her mom has passed away. While going through her mom’s things, she finds a photo that shocks her. She has a sister - an identical twin! Charlotte drops everything to meet with her … and both sisters' lives are changed forever.

Masquerading is one of the most prominent themes in this book. I was feverishly turning pages to see if the characters were able to hang on long enough to ‘fake it until they made it.’ Patch made sure I was entertained, was left gasping, and that Charlotte and Acelynn buried themselves deep in my mind. I’m still thinking about them!

“This community of social butterflies is masquerading. Underneath they’re yellow jackets, and I’m not safe until I know what is truly going on.”

I was reminded that:
✔️A change of setting doesn’t mean a change of events
✔️Trying to be one step ahead is tiring and joy gets trampled
✔️Abandonment deeply affects our personality
✔️Being angry at God is a bumpy journey

This was a great story, but to use the cover as an example, I’d have loved a wider gap between the light and dark.

If you love 5-star twisty psychological thrillers with a very light Christian thread and dark undertones, a behind-the-curtain peek into the effects of long-term foster care, murder and plenty of deception, this one’s for you!

I was gifted this copy by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

I utterly loved this. Twisted. Dark. It deals with some heavy themes, and the undercurrent of good versus evil is there. The faith aspect of this took me a little by surprise, and I've seen other reviewers mention they wish there was more exploration of this. Not me. I loved this just the way it was. It was chef's-kiss perfect for me. 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I was unable to finish. I couldn’t get into it, it didn’t hold my inter3st. I’m sure formsomemthey loved it.

Charlotte (who grew up off and on in foster care) finds out about a twin sister she has never met. As Charlotte reads a letter from her twin’s adoptive mother she decides to contact Acelynn. Thus begins a series of twists and turns and creepy happenings that I had a hard time keeping up with. The plot is intricate and every time I thought I had figured out what was happening, the author threw me for a loop. The story is pretty edgy for Christian fiction, so readers should be aware.

I was not required to give a favorable review to this ARC.

Wowzers!!! Brilliantly, brilliantly written!!! This book truly blew me away! Despite being unwell, I couldn't tear myself away!
The enthralling twists and turns, mental games, intense intrigue, and frightening thrills are just next level!!
The subtle correlation to Christ's redemption and our choice of whether we accept it or not! Wow!!
Yes, like Charlotte, we do carry masks, and yes, we try to show only the best side to others. How many times do we covet other's lives and even what they have? And the deeper truth still, if you keep the darkness in you hidden and do not expose it to the Light, it will keep you in prison for the rest of your life!

Between having a drug addicted mother, Foster Care, and trying to make ends meet as an adult, Charlotte Kane has had a rough life. But when her mom passes away and she finds a diary, along with the knowledge that she’s a twin, she’s determined to find her sister and change her future for the better. Acelynn Benedict is everything Charlotte isn’t. Wealthy, successful, and polished, with two loving parents and a multitude of friends. In a desperate tragic moment Charlotte is forced to become Acelynn, settling into her family and home as if it’s always been hers. But things on the surface aren’t what they seem, and Charlotte begins to find herself in too deep with countless secrets and no one to trust.

This is my second book from Jessica and I can’t wait to read more! This is definitely a fast paced psychological thriller. There are faith elements of hope and redemption in Christ but overall the storyline is on the darker side.

Thank you to Harlequin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Charlotte, who grew up in foster care, finds herself despairing at life as an adult. After her estranged mother’s death by overdose, she discovers that she has an identical twin sister, Acelynn, whom she’s never known. She plans a reunion with hopes to finally find love within the family. Acelynn seems to have everything that Charlotte desires—a successful business, loving family, and a handsome boyfriend. Once the two sisters are happily reunited, grimmer parts of Charlotte’s world interrupt the occasion, changing both of their lives forever. This forces Charlotte to take Acelynn’s identity in a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, but she quickly learns that her sister’s life was not what it seemed. Once immersed in her sister’s disturbing life, Charlotte must make a difficult decision to right her wrongs or continue spiraling. The story explores the raw experiences associated with trauma and abuse, showcasing human depravity at its worst. VERDICT Patch’s (The Garden Girls) delivery of consecutive plot twists in this psychological thriller that explores faith and the opportunity to choose between good and evil will keep readers riveted to the end. Perfect for fans of Colleen Coble and Lisa Jewell.

UPDATED REVIEW. The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

Charlotte Kane has lived a life of trauma and turmoil. The daughter of a lifelong addict, Charlotte was in and out of foster care her entire childhood. She saw the best and worst of what foster care could provide, but unfortunately the best portion was so brief it sits a a vague memory in her mind. Now, she is faced with some disturbing truths one, her estranged biological mother has fatally overdosed. Two, she has an identical twin sister, Acelynn Benedict, that is living the life that she’s always dreamed of living.

This is where the twisted tale begins. Nothing is as it seems and everyone has secrets. Lies, Murder, Manipulation, and a very disturbing diary of a mother with a child that possess evil within her.

There is a subtle undertone of faith, but it is smothered by the darker tones of a traditional psychological thriller. As a reader of Christian content, I would not categorize this as a Christian fiction thriller. There are very disturbing themes that I am sure are often found in mainstream thrillers, but to include them in Christian fiction is a stretch. One theme in particular was introduced near the end of the book, and it made me very uncomfortable. However, the book is free from profanity.

The author has a compelling writing style with a clear ability to tell a story, make you see glimmers of hope, and weave a tale that twists and turns continuously keeping you guessing and a little unsettled the way a thriller should.

Overall, the storyline started out as a very engaging read, but the edgy, crude and uncomfortable content was too much at times. Sadly, I cannot recommend this book to others seeking Christian content. This is terribly unfortunate, because the writing is so good but the story would have been just as convincing without the difficult to stomach content.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from
Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for my honest review.

I can sum this book up in one word…WOW! It’s a high-octane psychological race against time that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. The characters are broken, but in the end, the heroine finds redemption. Loved her character arc. The plot moved along nicely with some great twists. Jessica is known for her twists and this book proves why. Loved it. Highly recommend The Other Sister.

**I received no compensation and the opinions in this review are my own.

What if the life that looks perfect to you is really a nightmare?

The Other Sister is a delightfully intricate thriller that kept me reading long past my bedtime.

Charlotte Kane has led a hard life. Born to an addict mother, she was bounced around various foster homes and abused. She grew up never having enough anything, whether it be money or love. She is happy to hear of a long-lost sister, her identical twin. Acelynn Benedict was the lucky twin who was adopted into a life of privilege. They reunite but in a twist of fate, Charlotte will assume her sister's identity. It's supposed to be for a short time, but Charlotte is quickly sucked into an unexpected world where no one can be trusted. There is also a serial killer who is striking close to home. Can Charlotte keep her tru identity a secret and stay alive?

I really loved the way this thriller unfolded. There were some great twists as well. I'm definitely interested in reading more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Harlequin for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This was a great suspense! Charlotte wants everything her newly discovered twin sister has and she’s crazy enough to actually try and take her place. I can’t even imagine trying to pull something like that off! When things starting going off the rails
I thought I knew who couldn’t be trusted, but I was wrong. I think I need to read this again. There were just enough twists that I was still a little confused at the end. This was the first book that I’ve read by this author. I look forward to reading her other books.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has some astonishing twists and turns.

While I liked the main characters, Tillie and Charlotte, there were a lot of little hints here and there that made me question what was really going on with the two of them and whether they were really good people. The chapters with a woman's POV, who is mom to Petal is clearly scared of her small child--increasingly so as the girl grows older. While I guessed Petal was not the female's real name, there were a few people in the book who seemed like they could be Petal. That aspect took this to an entirely new level.

This was a psychological thriller at it's best. Somehow, the author pulls it all together, and just when you think it all fits--everything is solved--there's another twist at the end.

5 Stars.




Just when I thought I had finally figured out what Petal's name really was, it seemed like I might be on the wrong track. Again.

I have never read anything by this author but I will definitely be looking her up. This book was fantastic. A great thriller with lots of twists and turns and surprises all around. I thought I knew the answers but boy was I wrong. In highly recommended this book to lovers of thrillers.

I knew this would be a great read, I enjoy this author, and she sure didn't disappoint!
This is a psychological thriller at its best, so many twists and turns, so don't get to comfortable.
Sounds like a sweet story doesn't it, sisters that never knew each other, actually twins, all of a sudden find out about each other, yes they are identical.
Pretty soon you will think you know the answers, oh yes, I guessed, and sure thought I was right. In away I was, but what a monkey wrench the author gives us!
So if you enjoy reads with a lot of action, unsolved murders, mental illness, siblings, good friends, and much more, you don't want to miss this one!
This read give right up to the end and including the epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired Trade, and was not required to give a positive review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for an ARC of this book. I listened to the Kindle book and was a little confused at times by all the different characters and found it hard to keep up with who and what. I liked how toward the end the ‘Then’ chapters came together with the numbered chapters, but don’t want to give anything away. I feel like the end left me wondering…. I enjoyed this read and will recommend it in my day-to-day job as a Librarian.

Talk about a story that will keep you on the very edge of your seat! This story was quite intense! Charlotte grew up in foster care and dreamed of a different kind of life. When her estranged mother dies, she uncovers a shocking secret... she has a twin sister! But when her twin is killed by someone thinking it was Charlotte, she finds herself having to take Acelynn's place to save her own life... but once there, she learns that perhaps her sister's life wasn't as perfect as she had thought--- instead she was thrown into this world of secrets, lies and a serial killer! Yikes! This story was full of so many twists and turns--- many that I didn't see coming at all. Just when I thought that every last secret was out in the open, here comes another one challenging what I thought I knew. While this is a Christian thriller, I would say the Christian messages are more subtle and the tone is definitely darker overall, with mentions of murder, sexual assault, and other evils in the world. As such, it might be a more difficult read for some readers. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this is certainly one to check out.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Jessica Patch did it again!!! Wow. I enjoyed this book- it really sucks you in and you don’t want to put it down until it’s finished! This author has excellent books and this one definitely is at the top! Highly recommend

Twisty, full-of-surprises psychological thriller that kept me guessing (and second-guessing) up until the very last page. Patch sure can tell a story!

This is an outstanding book and one of the very best I have read in a long time! Anyone who enjoys romantic suspense will be thrilled with this book! Charlotte has had a very rough life, after coping with life with her drug-addicted mother. When she learns that she has a twin, Acelynn, who has been adopted, she realizes just what her life could have been like. Acelynn shows up and Charlotte does everything she can to look and be just like her. When one of Charlotte's friends is killed, Charlotte is a witness. In the process of trying to stay alive, Acelynn is shot and killed! Charlotte figures that the best way to survive is to take Acelynn's life and identity to avoid being accused of her sister's death. How Charlotte manages to live in her sister's identity takes her by surprise, since her sister lied about a lot. The ending was satisfying, and I was glad to see that I had guessed right about it!
I very much appreciate the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Charlotte always wanted a better life— get away from her druggie mom, she just never expected to find it through a long-lost twin. When she discovers Acelynn, her identical sister living a wealthy, picture-perfect life, she thinks she’s found her way out. But after a tragic accident forces Charlotte to take Acelynn’s place, she realizes her sister’s world is filled with deadly secrets.