While Sam and Elli Logan may be identical twins, their personalities differ greatly. Sam is a natural actor and loves being in the spotlight. Elli prefers to blend in with the crowd and go to school as a normal child. They are able to switch places with the help of a secret signal, becoming one another and even escaping for a while.
Janelle Brown’s fifth novel, “I’ll Be You,” is Janelle’s fifth. It follows the twins’ journey from their early childhood when they are made into child actors and then to their 30s when Sam is a barista struggling to stay sober, while Elli is a model of modest success with a husband and a small florist.
Sam and Elli no longer swap places. Since Sam’s last relapse, Elli and Sam have not spoken to each other in over a year. This has left their already fragile relationship undeniably broken. Sam is aware of something wrong when Elli’s weekend retreat becomes a week long and leaves Elli with Elli’s 2-year-old adopted child. She tells her parents to leave Elli alone and ask Sam for help.
Brown’s novel reads like potato chips. The page-turner “I’ll Be You” is full of clever word choices and delicious twists.
Breaks are intended to add suspense, but they often fail. Although they are not significant enough to affect the plot, there are minor inconsistencies that can be found here and there. These little errors can chip away at the suspension required to believe in a story as dramatic as “I’ll Be You.” This is not the type of novel you should read while relaxing on the beach.
The novel’s flaws are compensated for by Brown’s engaging characters and compelling plot. Sam and Elli are as distinct as their voices. Although the storyline reaches a point that is almost the climax, almost at the end of the book, the book is only half-read. Then, the book abruptly turns with another shocking revelation before we plunge into Part 2.
These twists are well-planned and plausible. Each twist is fascinating and thrilling, so it’s easy to decide whether you want to follow the wild turns around the corner.
