The twins Adelaide and Victoria move to the America after Lord Stanley marries Adelaide. Unlike her sister Victoria, who was looking forward to this new world and life as his wife, Adelaide is anything but willing to go.
This book was an easy andi nteresting listen as the narrator was amazing and did an amazing job with this book. You could really feel the anxiety, fear and emotions Adelaide had and feel the relationship between the twins. The book was not an easy read in many parts, but I enjoyed the layers the author put into it and most of all I ennjoyed the writing style.
The book did feel rather predictable in many points and some themes were dealt just on the surface, but other than that this was a good book to read.
If you enjoy historical fiction, mystery and a bit of gothic setting thenthis is a right book to choose.
I would like to thank the author, Spotify audiobooks and Netgalley for the ALC of this book. All opinions here are my own

Reading "My Sister's Shadow" was a challenging yet deeply emotional experience, as I felt profound sadness for the character of Adelaide. The novel highlights the stark realities women faced in the early 1900s, showcasing their lack of rights and autonomy during that period.

It’s heartbreaking to realize how women were treated as property, often denied the chance to shape their own lives. The story illustrates the significant progress we've made since then. Adelaide embodies the nurturing spirit of women, yet she tragically falls victim to her manipulative twin sister, who uses Adelaide’s social status for her own gain, ultimately trapping her in her own home.

Despite the heavy themes, the writing is beautifully crafted, and the narrative is engaging. The ending is particularly satisfying, allowing readers to rejoice in Adelaide’s hard-won happiness after such adversity.

It took me a while to really get into this book. The beginning dragged a bit, and I found myself not totally connecting with the main characters—which made it harder to stay invested early on. The pacing felt a little off in parts too; there were several moments where I had to rewind just to make sure I hadn’t missed something. That might have been partly due to the narrator—I didn’t quite vibe with their style, and I think that affected how smoothly the story flowed for me.

Some of the tropes felt a bit overdone. There were definite echoes of classic stories, especially in the portrayal of the creepy villains and the dynamic between the sisters. It gave the book a familiar feel, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it did come off a little cliché at times.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad listen—just not one that really stood out for me. Solid idea, but the execution didn’t fully land.

ARC provided by Spotify Audiobooks via NetGalley. Review is voluntary.

I really really wanted to love this....

The characters were all annoying and I couldn't connect with anyone

It was loaded Triggers and it still was a bit blahhhhh.

The narrator did well trying to keep the story going but it was just ok for me.

3 stars

This book contains many elements, fear, abuse, mystery, melancholy, hope, and romance.

The book held my interest up until the great betrayal by her sister. Her sister is a selfish, wicked brat. Simple enough, but no real character development up to that point. If this read more like a gothic or thriller novel, I could have gone along with it, but so much of the storyline just muddles on.
It was at this point that I needed to take a break and read an actual thriller.

Upon returning to the book, the story was depressing but did progress onward, resulting in the climax of the story that was more interesting than expected. I think what turned me away from the book was how depressing and upsetting Adelaide's imprisonment in the asylum is, but it's there to point out how women could be put there against their will simply by a man's say so.


Trigger warning for animal murder (a passing reference to Victoria's actions as a child).

Two sisters, Adelaide, quiet, unassuming, and Victoria always wanting more. Except that Adelaide gets all that Victoria wants, a husband, a 5th Ave mansion, and the "suppossd" life of high society. Victoria does not like that and is determined to ruin Adelaides life. Except that Adelaide is not such a doormat, especially now that she's found the love of her life, Jack, so she fights back with all her will and ingenuity.

This book was very "Rebecca" like. Lost of twists and turns, malevolence and some creepy villains.

The narration was on point and nicely differentiated between the twins.

#netgalley #MySistersShadow

Actual Rating 1.5

Twin sisters Adelaide and Victoria have spent their lives intertwined as a pair. But when a visiting lord visits and decides to marry one of the sisters, they find themselves swept to America. But all isn't as it seems, and smiling faces and lavish houses hide more enemies than the sisters realize.

My biggest issue with this work is that it felt familiar, predictable, and didn't really add anything to the topics the book explored. The work includes many elements, tropes, and cliches that felt too familiar given the topic, which added to the book feeling familiar and making it feel bland. The plot had no surprises. The setting wasn't well incorporated either, leaving a flat backdrop.

The characters weren't strong. There was no development or depth included for them beyond what was absolutely necessary for the plot. The "romance" was also cliche and predictable, as well as insta-love, which gave that subplot no redeeming qualities. The protagonist was painfully dense, to the point where I couldn't be invested in her suffering because there was no way she should have been that oblivious.

This historical fiction is readable, but I can't recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for allowing me to listen to this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Posted to Goodreads: 4/9/2025

This gothic, suspense novel focuses on the relationship between the twins, Adelaide and Victoria. Although they look exactly alike, the two have very different personalities. Victoria loves to be the life of the party, but in a turn of events, Lord Stanley offers a marriage proposal to Adelaide, which their father does not refuse. The twins both head to New York, to make their way in society, but something has changed between them. This makes you wonder... just how far does a twin's love really go? Overall, this book had a great atmosphere and shows life in the early 1900s for women very well. I would check trigger warnings before reading this book because it does have some themes of abuse, loveless marriages, and mental health. I was given the chance to listen to this audio book through NetGalley, and hope it finds other gothic literature lovers.

My Sister’s Shadow by January Gilchrist is one of those books that has a really cool concept—twin sisters in the early 1900s, identical on the outside but completely different on the inside. Adelaide is the quiet, careful one, while Victoria is the bold, adventurous type. The story follows them as they leave England for New York, and it dives into all the tension and drama that comes with their clashing personalities.
the pacing was a bit off for me. The beginning took a while to get going, and it wasn’t until the second half that I really got pulled in. Some of the side characters felt kind of flat too, which made a few parts less impactful than they could’ve been. Overall 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The story starts in England in 1904 where identical twins Adelaide and Victoria are getting ready to attend an extravagant event where they just might meet their future husband. Victoria is more excited about the event as she longs for the high society life that a marriage into the right family can give her. The girls meet Lord Stanley from New York and as he tells them about his life in the big city, Victoria is already planning her life with him in the city. Victoria has high hopes for this man and that is all she can talk about when they return home. It is no surprise that the next day the girl's father tells them that Lord Stanley has ask for a hand in marriage. The surprise and shock is WHOSE hand he is asking for as it is Adelaide and not Victoria. She is furious and as she accompanies her sister to New York City so she can also experience the City, she starts to plot her revenge.

This book had great potential with the plot of mirror-twins navigating their lives together with dark, disastrous results. However, I found it disappointing in so many ways. The character development was poor - Victoria was a hateful shrew from the beginning, with no reason for Addy’s love for and connection to her. Addy whipped from a meek girl unable to speak to strangers to a passionate rebel charting her own path, and back again more times than I could count. The plot devices of drugging and forced commitment to an insane asylum have been done before. The one saving grace of this novel was the character of Winnifred - clever, confident, and loya

"My Sister's Shadow*" by January Gilchrist, narrated by Siobhan Waring, proved to be an unexpected delight that captivated my attention and kept me distracted from the daunting task of cleaning our house for sale. Throughout the listening experience, I found myself pausing frequently to truly absorb the profound events unfolding in the narrative, as it skillfully guides us through the complex struggles faced by women throughout history. The tale encourages deep reflection on our current lives and fosters an appreciation for the freedoms we often take for granted in the year 2025.

The story is set in the house of Harewood, in England, in the year 1904. It centers around mirror twins Adelaide and Victoria, who endure a stifling existence under the oppressive rule of their unforgiving father. Their lives are intricately woven together, but despite their identical appearances, they possess starkly different personalities. Adelaide is mild-mannered and compliant, while Victoria is spirited and rebellious, longing for excitement and opportunity.

This delicate balance is disrupted when the charismatic Lord Stanley pays a visit to their family, leading to a life-altering proposal to marry the more dutiful Adelaide. Caught in a web of family obligation and no way to escape, Adelaide is forced into the marriage, as her father prioritizes the prospect of marriage above the suitability of her suitor. This dilemma is complicated by the fact that Lord Stanley has plans to move to New York in just two months.

Victoria, harboring a fierce resentment towards her sister’s impending marriage, is driven by her own aspirations for a life of grandeur and high society in New York City. Her envy burns intensely as she fantasizes about the luxurious lifestyle of a lady, contrasting sharply with Adelaide’s desire for the simplicity of home, tending to the garden, and enjoying the company of the household staff. Victora ultimately made the decision to accompany her sister to New York, recognizing the importance of being there for her during a pivotal moment in her life.

Gilchrist weaves a gripping tale of betrayal, power dynamics, and the will to survive, filled with emotional turmoil and rich historical context. The story expertly holds the reader’s—or in this case, listener's—attention, ensuring a riveting exploration of familial bonds and individual desires that will resonate long after the final chapter.

Adelaide has always kept to the background, letting her twin sister, Victoria, take the spotlight. But when an earl living in New York offers for her, and not Victoria, she finds herself forced on a ship to be a wife in NYC society. Victoria comes along, but the more attention Adelaide gets, the angrier she gets. And the more she schemes.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't start off all that excitingly, but the tension grew as it went on and turned it into a page turner!

If you are looking for something with all the glitz of the Gilded Age, you will not find that. It is dark and Adelaide is very much secluded on the periphery. But it is an interesting foray into that era.

Siobhan Waring narrates the audiobook. I enjoyed the narration.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the tale of two sisters, identical twins. Adelaide is modest, submissive, quiet and pleasant her desire is to stay in her childhood home, Harewood Hall, for the rest of her life. Victoria wants to a thrilling life, she wants to travel the world exploring all corners, she wants romance; she demands to be the center of attention and is belligerent if she isn’t. The setting is England and New York City, 1904. The sisters’ lives are intertwined.
Lord Stanley talks of a life of luxury in New York, just the kind of life Victoria dreams of. Victoria expected him to request her hand in marriage, but it wasn’t Victoria he requested, his eyes were on Adelaide. Against her will Adelaide marries the Lord. Victoria is furious but manages to manipulate affairs to move to New York with Adelaide.
New York isn’t very welcoming. The servants treat the twins with disdain. There isn’t always adequate food, and Lord Stanley is rarely home. She must come to terms with the man she married. His persona when they first met was a façade. Things look better for Adelaide when she meets some women in the elite social circle. The women are independent and educated. They like Adelaide and take her under their wing, which infuriates Victoria. As Adelaide takes control of her own life, Victoria descends into darkness; she is consumed by jealousy and ambition. Victoria is dangerous.
Adelaide allowed her sister to run rough-shod over her. Victoria was cruel and dangerous from the beginning. I found it hard to understand why Adelaide allowed her sister to mistreat her. I disliked Lord Stanley.
This is a goth psychological tale.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Reviews I’ve read have indicated they feel this story starts out slowly, however I didn’t feel that way at all. I thought it was well paced and balanced. It is separated into three parts which I think really helps the story move along. That being said, I do wish there was a little more mystery surrounding the sister. I wish there had been some kind of twist or something to make it stand out. Other than that, I really enjoyed it and the narrator was fantastic.

I almost didn’t finish this book. I only did so because of the reviews praising the shocking ending, which I didn’t find shocking. The tone is more bleak than atmospheric. The book is not gothic, and there’s not really much suspense—just a woman in a distressful situation trying to get out of it. I don’t enjoy books like that, and this one is not for me. I liked the audiobook narrator.

What bothers me most is that women could not be forced to marry against their will. They could be economically exiled by their parents if they chose not to go through with an arranged marriage. Adelaide could have avoided her situation by getting a job.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

An interesting historical novel about two sisters. A great gothic setting and a well written book. I enjoyed listening to it, great narration.

This is a twisty gothic novel about twin sisters. One is rather naive and good natured whilst the other is more worldly and selfish. When a rich American chooses to wed the nice sister, jealousy ensues. A good solid read about the way things were for some women during that time period.

January Gilchrist's My Sister's Shadow is a mesmerizing historical fiction novel steeped in gothic suspense, family drama, and psychological intrigue. Set in 1904, the story follows twin sisters Adelaide and Victoria, who live in the grand Harewood Hall in England with their widowed father. While Adelaide is reserved and dutiful, Victoria is bold and adventurous, yearning for excitement and status. Their world shifts when Lord Stanley, a wealthy businessman, visits their home. Victoria is instantly captivated by his promises of luxury and adventure in New York, but to her shock, it is Adelaide whom he chooses to marry. Their father approves the match despite Adelaide's protests, and soon, all three find themselves navigating the glittering yet treacherous world of Gilded Age New York.

What unfolds is a gripping tale of betrayal, power, and survival. As Adelaide is thrust into an unfamiliar world of high society, she struggles to find her place while unraveling the unsettling truths about her husband and sister. Victoria, consumed by jealousy and ambition, becomes a formidable force, and the sisters' once-unbreakable bond fractures into something dark and dangerous. The novel masterfully explores the suffocating societal constraints placed on women, the psychological toll of manipulation, and the resilience it takes to break free.

Gilchrist's writing is immersive and richly detailed, drawing sharp contrasts between the rigid social structures of England and the cutthroat opulence of New York. The gothic undertones weave seamlessly into the narrative, heightening the tension and creating an atmosphere of unease.
While there are elements of romance, they take a backseat to the psychological and emotional struggles of the characters, making this a deeply layered and thought-provoking read.

The pacing is excellent-after a measured start, the story builds momentum, culminating in a stunning, unforgettable ending. Adelaide's transformation from an obedient, overlooked sister to a woman who seizes control of her fate is both heartbreaking and triumphant. Secondary characters, particularly Wiffy, add depth and warmth, providing much-needed moments of light amid the novel's darker themes.

My Sister's Shadow is a chilling, beautifully written novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction with gothic suspense. While those expecting a full-fledged supernatural element may find that aspect more subtle, the psychological unraveling and intense character dynamics more than make up for it. This is a story of love, betrayal, and resilience-one that lingers long after the final page.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, gothic suspense, and intricate family dramas.

*My Sister's Shadow* by January Gilchrist offers a haunting exploration of society in the Gilded Age, women's rights, and the eerie complexities of twinship. The novel begins with a Brontë-esque atmosphere—descriptive, moody, and steeped in tension, leaving you certain there's a deeper mystery lurking beneath the surface. As the story unfolds, it adopts a more contemporary narrative style, still gripping and darkly compelling. However, despite its captivating plot, there’s an elusive element that feels just out of reach, a piece of the puzzle that never quite fits. Nonetheless, this novel is a wickedly intriguing read, full of layers that leave you contemplating long after the final page.

The narration was not the greatest. I felt like the narrator had trouble creating men's destructive voices.