I will never doubt Rachel Van Dyken again because this book was AWESOME. I’m going to be honest and say that when I saw the premise… it seemed like a lot (and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart). She is the master of complex relationships and this one asks a lot of the reader. It’s twisty, tension-filled, and angsty without being dark. Nothing is black and white in this book; there is a whole lot of gray going on and I was absolutely riveted to see what happened next.
The story follows Isobel, a woman who fell in love with a normal guy from a wealthy family when they were in college. Izzy and Julian had a great love, but once they graduated and he joined the family business, his whole personality changed. After staying with Julian through late work nights and numerous affairs, Isobel has reached her breaking point and knows it’s time to end things. When Julian gets into a serious accident right after the breakup, Isobel isn’t sure what to do. He comes home bruised and battered with a whole new attitude and seemingly foggy memories of their time together. Unbeknownst to her, Julian’s estranged twin, Bridge, has agreed to temporarily take his place so that the business doesn’t suffer while Julian fights for his life. What follows is the complicated dance of Bridge playing a role while struggling with his growing feelings for a woman who isn’t his – and Izzy’s struggle to understand why she seems to be falling for her fiancé all over again.
I felt for both of these characters and their complex feelings for each other. Bridge is a great guy who is disgusted with the way his brother has treated Izzy, and he is not so easily pushed into following his father’s commands. Isobel has endured a lot in the name of love already and Bridge knows this will destroy her when it all comes to a head. Their complicated relationship was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once with a sizzling, tense slow burn and great depth of emotion. It ended up being much easier to relate to this story than I expected, and I will never doubt Van Dyken again when she comes up with a seemingly crazy premise. She struck the perfect balance of wrong/right here, with fantastic writing that makes it nearly impossible to put down. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this complex, romantic book.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/32CT5XH
Blurb:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an unexpected love story of family, secrets, and the most intimate of deceptions.
My estranged twin brother, Julian, was always the wonder boy—and was groomed to become CEO of our ruthless father’s corporation. My mother and me? Left behind. Now, years after tearing our family apart, my father dares to ask me for a favor? Pretend to be Julian while he fights to survive a tragic accident. It can save the company. Nobody will be the wiser. It’ll be our secret.
I can play Dad’s favorite. I’ll do it for Julian. And for my mother, who’ll want for nothing.
But this double life comes with a beauty of a hitch: my very real feelings for Julian’s fiancée, Isobel. Not only am I betraying Julian, I’m deceiving a woman I love. She doesn’t suspect a thing. As lies compound, lines are crossed and loyalties tested, all I can ask myself is…What have I done?
Because sooner or later something’s got to give. There’s no way I’m giving up Isobel. But once the truth is exposed, it might not be my choice at all.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/32CT5XH
About the Author:
Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 90 books ranging from contemporary romance to paranormal. With over four million copies sold, she’s been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs.
For more information about her books and upcoming events, visit www.RachelVanDykenauthor.com.
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers https://www.facebook.com/groups/RRRFanClub.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Jeeves Reads Romance 
Leave a Reply