Lisa Jewell’s novel is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. This was my first time reading her work, and I was captivated by the wild twists and turns. The story centers around two women, Alix and Josie, who were born on the same day in the same hospital but only connect much later in life when they discover they are birthday twins while celebrating at the same restaurant. This seemingly ordinary coincidence is about the only normal aspect of the novel, and even that is far from typical.

Jewell excels at crafting addictive narratives, seamlessly weaving in flashforwards and flashbacks that deepen the plot’s complexity. The fast pace kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was particularly impressed by how Jewell intricately intertwines the lives of Alix and Josie in a way that irrevocably changes them both.

The novel had me speculating until the very last page, and even after finishing, I’m left with lingering questions—not due to any shortcomings in the writing, but because the haunting nature of Josie’s life continues to provoke thought long after the story ends. Jewell’s ability to create such an intense and thought-provoking narrative ensures this won’t be the last book of hers I pick up.

“But that girl… that girl is starting to feel like a shapeshifter, a fraud, a one-dimensional paper doll”