Brown spools out the causes in suspenseful bits and pieces, which showcase her insights into family dynamics ... becomes less a story about estrangement, guilt and regret and more of an addictive thriller that will keep readers burning through pages to find out what happened. When the narration shifts to Elli’s point of view at a critical juncture in the novel, a twist genuinely surprises, as do Brown’s insights into the very different psychological makeup, perspective and needs of the missing twin. Particularly poignant are Elli’s take on childhood events and how GenFem has exploited her insecurities and weaknesses ... a sneakily hypnotic thriller that turns on how Elli’s naïve beliefs have been twisted and whether it’s possible for an estranged family to reclaim their lives and futures.

... a thought-provoking and gripping novel of domestic suspense about the bonds of sisterhood and the allure of hope ... As [Brown] proves yet again in I'll Be You, she’s far more than a suspense writer. She is equally, if not more, adept at digging right into the heart of some of our most complicated relationships --- and on top of that, she’s a terrific storyteller. As Brown unpacks the relationship between Sam and Elli, she paints incisive, provocative portraits of the girls ... Sharply insightful, relentlessly suspenseful and simply unputdownable, I'll Be You is Janelle Brown’s best novel yet. This powerful portrayal of the bonds of familial love and the allure of empowerment is perfect for readers of Laura Dave, Carola Lovering and Julie Clark.

Reading Brown’s novel is like eating potato chips: Though there’s little nutritional value, it’s addictively flavored and, after you’ve started, hard to stop until it’s all gone. Generously sprinkled with witty word choice and tasty twists, I’ll Be You is a page-turner in spite of itself ... The breaks are meant to add suspense but often fall short. Minor inconsistencies pop up here and there which, although not important enough to impact the plot, are enough to chip at the suspension of disbelief required for a tale as dramatic as I’ll Be You. It’s not the kind of novel meant for analysis, rather the kind to read on the beach and pass the time snacking away on it ... Brown’s intriguing characters and plot compensate for the novel’s shortcomings. Sam’s and Elli’s voices are just as unique as their personalities ... These twists have solid set-ups, so the reveals are effective and believable with only a slight stretch of the imagination. The choice to go along with whatever wild turn is around the corner is made easier because each one is so interesting and exciting, they’re worth exploring despite any outlandishness.

Brown returns to the family thriller for an intense story in keeping with a current trend in mysteries — a low-boil plot that is big on tension and the connections between people but has little, or, as Brown has chosen, no violence. Yet sinister doings lay just below the surface. This tack worked well in her best-seller Pretty Things and excels in I’ll Be You ... Brown’s investment in her characters and the family dynamic elevate I’ll Be You ... moves at steady pace, moving from the twins’ childhood to their adult lives, as Brown engulfs the reader in the sisters’ lives.

Brown infuses this twist-packed mystery with an intense story of creating one’s identity, rife with deep family trauma and a low-key, creepy depiction of the dark side of twin intimacy ... Brown seamlessly uses Sam’s retrospection into the twins’ childhood experiences impersonating and protecting each other both as character development and plot device, letting the latter flow naturally while never feeling cheesy. The perfectly paced emotional reveals of the twins’ shared history pull the reader toward fierce investment in Elli’s safety and the sisters’ reconnection. Brown has upped her game with this one.

Brown weaves together all these strands into a delicious work of intrigue and suspense. Sam narrates the first part of the novel, which deftly alternates between the present and the twins’ days of fame in the past. Elli narrates the second part, and while their voices sound rather too similar, Brown adroitly explores their individual psychologies—their very different interests, needs, motivations, and, ultimately, their reactions to their early careers. The prose is smooth and fluid throughout, and if the story occasionally gets bogged down in the twins’ backstory, that complaint is a minor one. Overall, the narrative sprints ahead. You won’t want to stop reading until you find out what’s happened ... Minor flaws don’t slow the forward propulsion of this compelling novel.