A great debut novel, well written with lots of twists and turns.
Summer and Iris are born identical twins, with only each other able to tell the difference. There is a sight mirror image, a cheekbone slightly higher, a cheek slightly fuller. But internally they are very different. Because they split so late in the womb Iris’ heart is on the right side of her body not the left.
Growing up they were comfortable but their father left for another woman when they were younger and started another family. When he died, Iris overheard a conversation about her father's will. All his money was to go to the first of his grandchildren born in wedlock. All 100million of it.
Iris decides she is going to be the one to get married and pregnant first. Summer is laid back and wants to marry for love and has no interest in the money. But there are three half sisters that are also in the race.
This is a story about a journey across the ocean in a yacht, twin ties, confusion, love and betrayal.
I didn’t understand any of the sailing terms, of which there are many, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I became involved with the characters even if I didn’t agree with some of their choices or emotions.
For a debut novel this is great. There were bits I worked out quite early in and so weren’t really a surprise and then other parts that had me freaking out that I didn’t see it coming.
A great book.
Wow! What an interesting and gripping book - such a thrilling story about the relationship between twins and just how far that relationship can be tested before it breaks!
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I know that can sounds cliched but the way the author pulled you in straight away with her take on how identical twins see themselves was gripping. This book plays on the emotional ties formed between identical twins and how they perceive themselves in comparison to each other. Hard to believe that one identical twin could feel so inferior to the other but this has shaped Iris's whole life. Throw in the prospect of a rush to get pregnant in order to get financial security for the rest of your life and this makes for a very competitive sibling relationship and a thrilling read. There are lots of didn't see that coming moments and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next - In my eyes that's the makings of a great book!
“The Girl in the Mirror” is the perfect beach read to keep you entertained. Readers will enjoy the escapism of this story, taking you on a journey across the waves to a tropical paradise.
Summer and Iris are identical but mirror twins (Summer’s organs are all in the correct place but Iris’ are on the opposite and wrong side) and they have completely different personalities. When Summer asks Iris to help her husband sail their luxury yacht away from Thailand at short notice, Iris jumps at the chance to sail with handsome Adam. Could this be the chance for Iris to live the life she’s always wanted - the idyllic lifestyle she has secretly coveted from afar? Is the grass greener on the other side for Iris? Who can Iris trust in her extended family - there’s plenty more twisty questions than these to answer.
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a summer holiday abroad this year, “The Girl in the Mirror” is the perfect beach read to keep you entertained. Readers will enjoy the escapism of this story, taking you on a journey across the waves to a tropical paradise. Twins have always fascinated me and this was a good example of how jealousy, greed can affect siblings who are so intensely close genetically, even if incredibly far fetched in this example.
“The Girl in the Mirror” is the debut novel from Rose Carlyle who was awarded first class honours in her creative writing Masters at the University of Auckland. She is a keen adventurer and is an experienced yachtsman, having sailed from Thailand to South Africa via the Seychelles. Her knowledge and love of travelling and sailing has produced a book on a subject that is exceedingly detailed in yachting terminology and what it is like to sail alone in a huge ocean.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/35740838-miriam-smith-a-mother-s-musings