I
read After You Fell by J.S. Lark last year, so when a chance to read
another novel by this author presented itself, I jumped at the
opportunity. The Twins is a psychological thriller...prepare to sit
on the edge of your seat as this twisted story unravels.
Susan
and Sarah are identical twins, so similar that even their mother
doesn't always know which twin she's speaking to. A mother, who
prefers to concentrate solely on her individual needs before those of
her daughters. Therefore, the twins are left very much to their own
devices as their mother entertains an ever-revolving carousel of
"uncles" in their home.
The
story begins around the time the twins turn thirteen and already they
are feral and doing as they please. Everything is fine until they
meet Jonny and suddenly there's a jealous rivalry between them...
surprising them both. For the first time in their lives, they begin
to realise life as they know it
won't continue.
The
narrative covers multiple time-lines, notable flashbacks to when the
twins are growing up and then to when Sarah and Susan reunite as
adults after an absence of thirty years. One sister seems to have had
everything the other has always wanted...Jonny… and still wants
him.
The
twist wasn't a surprise as I guessed what would
happen but J.S. Lark still manages to shock and reveal far more than
any reader would suspect, which I liked. One stand out issue with the
narrative is the difficulty in trying to keep abreast of which sister
is speaking. It's confusing at times yet, amplifies how alike the
pair are and I wonder if this is a deliberate inclusion by the
author?
As a reader, I read this novel slowly to ensure I didn't miss anything especially when either of the twins is speaking,
I'm
not easily offended so the content of this novel didn't trigger any
warnings for me. However, some incidences may cause distress for some
readers.
Overall, the novel isn't an easy one to
read and absorb, but my overall conclusion is it's well worth the time
and effort.
***arc generously received courtesy of
One More Chapter via NetGalley***
If you liked Blood Orange you will love this!
From
the moment they are born, twins Susan and Sarah are inseparable.
Through good and bad, the girls will always be
together…forever.
Until they meet Jonny.
Older,
charming and handsome, Jonny offers the girls the much-needed love
and attention they crave. But he can only choose one and for
the first time in their lives, the girls find themselves split apart –
the invisible thread that binds them severed.
Set-free from her twin, Sarah builds a new life for herself, marries, has a daughter. But Susan’s life spirals further and further out of control.
And now Susan is back. And she’s determined to reclaim everything she feels Sarah has taken from her.
Her home, her husband…her life?
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