Description
Maeve O’Shaughnessy has been writing novels to great critical acclaim for twenty years without ever making a public appearance. But when her publisher insists she begin promoting her own books, Maeve, a recluse with anxiety disorder, cannot face such a terrifying ordeal. Instead, she recruits her identical twin, Margaret, to be her public persona.
Despite her misgivings, Margaret—recently divorced and in need of income—agrees. Problems quickly arise, from being recognized by acquaintances to falling in love with a man who hero-worships Maeve. With every talk or book signing, the line between her own personality and her sister’s blurs a little more. When Maeve is critically injured in a car accident, Margaret faces the most harrowing decision of all: Will she continue to live as Maeve, or will she take possession of her own life and become the woman she was always meant to be?
mgtnelson –
This is quite the book. Things that caught my interest: 1) It’s set in San Francisco and Santa Cruz, California, which is “home ground” for me; 2) it’s about identical twins – I don’t know any, so it was quite interesting to read about these two, even though they are fictional; 3) the spiritual advisor/mentor is an elderly Orthodox priest – and he is one of my favorite characters; 4) the author’s dry sense of humor had me chuckling over and over (and my husband kept asking me why).
I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters are complex, the plot is an interesting play on twins taking each other’s place, and themes of family, loss & grief, and self-identity are thought-provoking.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
laknermegan –
I could not put this but down! Seriously, I haven’t read a book this fast in ages. From the first page I was drawn into the story of Margaret and Maeve, two identical twin sisters who are very, very, close to one another. At first when I would read Maeve’s part of the story I found myself being a bit creeped out by her. The fact she speaks about herself in the plural, like she and her sister are literally one person was a little disturbing to me. But as I read further I began to understand how desperately Maeve struggled in her life, how she really believed that she and her sister were essentially one person.
I really sympathized with Margaret in how she couldn’t bring herself to say no to Maeve. In pretty much any situation. That’s why it was so satisfying to see her grow throughout the story, and to learn that just because she’s a twin she doesn’t have to let that be her only identity.
I thought the addition of Father Sergius’ character was really well done and thought out as he give Margaret really great advice about the choices she is making. I loved how their friendship developed throughout the story.
The touch of romance between Margaret and the professor was also sweetly done. Her struggles to be honest with him while she was pretending to be Maeve were well done and believable.
I was enthralled with all the characters right from the start. This was one of the books that had a fresh perspective that we don’t always see anymore. Highly, highly recommend if you’re looking for a good women’s fiction with a touch of romance to it.
*I read an early ARC copy from the author/publisher. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.