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Mirror Image
Not yet published
Expected 1 Nov 26Award-winning author Lauren E. Rico’s intense psychological thriller plumbs the depths of trauma and identity in an emotional story about twin sisters set against the murky backdrop of the Everglades.
Dr. Jennifer Flores swore she’d never return to Miami—not after her mentor nearly destroyed her career and reputation to save his own. But when he asks the successful psychiatrist to consult on a high-profile case, she reluctantly agrees. This case echoes Jenn’s own twin-related trauma, and no one is better suited for the job.
Separated at birth, identical twins Mary Langston and Samantha Kinski met by chance in college five years ago. Today, they were found deep in the Florida Everglades, one barely alive and the other deceased. Jenn’s evaluation of survivor Mary’s mental status reveals more of the sisters’ extraordinary backstory. They experienced two vastly different childhoods: While adopted Mary thrived in the lap of luxury, Sam faltered in the brutal foster system.
As Jenn digs deeper into the twins’ turbulent bond, a dark picture emerges. Psychological manipulation. Family secrets. Mistaken identity. And as she gets closer to uncovering the truth, she finally confronts her own devastating loss.
Dr. Jennifer Flores swore she’d never return to Miami—not after her mentor nearly destroyed her career and reputation to save his own. But when he asks the successful psychiatrist to consult on a high-profile case, she reluctantly agrees. This case echoes Jenn’s own twin-related trauma, and no one is better suited for the job.
Separated at birth, identical twins Mary Langston and Samantha Kinski met by chance in college five years ago. Today, they were found deep in the Florida Everglades, one barely alive and the other deceased. Jenn’s evaluation of survivor Mary’s mental status reveals more of the sisters’ extraordinary backstory. They experienced two vastly different childhoods: While adopted Mary thrived in the lap of luxury, Sam faltered in the brutal foster system.
As Jenn digs deeper into the twins’ turbulent bond, a dark picture emerges. Psychological manipulation. Family secrets. Mistaken identity. And as she gets closer to uncovering the truth, she finally confronts her own devastating loss.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 1, 2026
About the author
Lauren E. Rico
16 books598 followersLibrarian Note: Also writes under the pen name L.E. Rico.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you can suspend your disbelief for this story about twins separated at birth who discover each other’s existence upon enrolling at the same small college on the same day, in the same registration line, then you’ll have no problems reading this book. Otherwise, not so much. It’s told in multiple narratives and timeframes for both Mary and a consulting psychiatrist, Dr. Jenn Flores.
It’s been a few years since Mary and her long-lost twin, Samantha, became a viral news story, and they are once again thrust into the spotlight because they’ve been found barely alive in the Everglades. Mary barely survived, but Sam did not, and now Dr. Flores has been brought in to consult and help Mary remember what happened out there. Not only is she skilled as a psychiatrist, but she also lost a twin sister, and she believes Mary will be open to her assistance more than anyone else’s because of that.
But the bulk of the story is the background of Mary and Sam’s relationship and how it evolved over time, leading up to the incident in the Everglades. They hit it off as soon as they met, even though they were raised quite differently. Mary was adopted by a wealthy family with all the associated perks, while Sam was in foster care and group homes all the way until college. Sam isn’t good at hiding how resentful she is, especially when Mary’s parents make it clear that they don’t feel the same way about Sam as Mary does.
It’s not a mystery or thriller, even though it’s being marketed as such, which is irritating. It’s a very slow-burning story, and if you’re not super into siblings and twins and dysfunctional family relationships, etc., there’s not much else to keep you invested. But if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll appreciate how deeply emotional and bittersweet this story is.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
It’s been a few years since Mary and her long-lost twin, Samantha, became a viral news story, and they are once again thrust into the spotlight because they’ve been found barely alive in the Everglades. Mary barely survived, but Sam did not, and now Dr. Flores has been brought in to consult and help Mary remember what happened out there. Not only is she skilled as a psychiatrist, but she also lost a twin sister, and she believes Mary will be open to her assistance more than anyone else’s because of that.
But the bulk of the story is the background of Mary and Sam’s relationship and how it evolved over time, leading up to the incident in the Everglades. They hit it off as soon as they met, even though they were raised quite differently. Mary was adopted by a wealthy family with all the associated perks, while Sam was in foster care and group homes all the way until college. Sam isn’t good at hiding how resentful she is, especially when Mary’s parents make it clear that they don’t feel the same way about Sam as Mary does.
It’s not a mystery or thriller, even though it’s being marketed as such, which is irritating. It’s a very slow-burning story, and if you’re not super into siblings and twins and dysfunctional family relationships, etc., there’s not much else to keep you invested. But if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll appreciate how deeply emotional and bittersweet this story is.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image is one of those psychological thrillers that slips under your skin from the first chapter, not because it’s loud or showy, but because it understands how identity, memory, and trauma can tangle together in ways that feel both intimate and unsettling. Lauren E. Rico builds her story on the fragile symmetry of twinhood, and the result is a slow‑burn, atmospheric unraveling that feels as humid and murky as the Everglades themselves.
Dr. Jennifer Flores is a compelling centre point — a woman who has spent years outrunning the wreckage of her past, only to be pulled back to Miami by the very mentor who once betrayed her. Her reluctance, her professionalism, and the quiet ache of her own twin‑related loss give the novel a steady emotional pulse. When she’s asked to evaluate Mary Langston, the surviving twin found in the swamp beside her dead sister, the case becomes less a consultation and more a mirror she’s forced to look into.
The twins’ story is the book’s dark heart. Rico draws a sharp, painful contrast between Mary’s privileged upbringing and Sam’s brutal path through the foster system, and the gulf between them becomes a kind of gravitational pull — love, resentment, longing, and identity all folding into one another. As Jenn pieces together their history, the novel leans into themes of psychological manipulation, fractured loyalty, and the dangerous ways family secrets can shape a life.
What elevates the story is how personal it becomes for Jenn. The deeper she goes, the more the case presses against her own buried grief, until the professional distance she tries to maintain begins to blur. The Everglades setting adds a wonderful sense of menace — a place where things sink, rot, and disappear, and where truth feels just as hard to retrieve.
Moody, layered, and emotionally charged, Mirror Image is a thoughtful psychological thriller that explores what happens when the past refuses to stay buried and when the person you’re most afraid to face is the one who looks back at you from the glass.
With thanks to Lauren E Rico, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Dr. Jennifer Flores is a compelling centre point — a woman who has spent years outrunning the wreckage of her past, only to be pulled back to Miami by the very mentor who once betrayed her. Her reluctance, her professionalism, and the quiet ache of her own twin‑related loss give the novel a steady emotional pulse. When she’s asked to evaluate Mary Langston, the surviving twin found in the swamp beside her dead sister, the case becomes less a consultation and more a mirror she’s forced to look into.
The twins’ story is the book’s dark heart. Rico draws a sharp, painful contrast between Mary’s privileged upbringing and Sam’s brutal path through the foster system, and the gulf between them becomes a kind of gravitational pull — love, resentment, longing, and identity all folding into one another. As Jenn pieces together their history, the novel leans into themes of psychological manipulation, fractured loyalty, and the dangerous ways family secrets can shape a life.
What elevates the story is how personal it becomes for Jenn. The deeper she goes, the more the case presses against her own buried grief, until the professional distance she tries to maintain begins to blur. The Everglades setting adds a wonderful sense of menace — a place where things sink, rot, and disappear, and where truth feels just as hard to retrieve.
Moody, layered, and emotionally charged, Mirror Image is a thoughtful psychological thriller that explores what happens when the past refuses to stay buried and when the person you’re most afraid to face is the one who looks back at you from the glass.
With thanks to Lauren E Rico, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy
I received a copy of this book for free via Amazon First Reads.
Mirror Image is an interesting story, one where you're never quite sure where the pieces are going to exactly line up. It's split into two POVs - Jenn Flores in the present (and occasionally ten years and twenty-three years in the past) and Mary Langston in the past. Jenn is a psychiatrist who used to work at a hospital in Miami until there is a blow up with her residency there. She hasn't been back since the falling out with her mentor, Julian Braithwaite - until Dr. Braithwaite calls her up and asks her to treat Mary Langston, the surviving twin of a bad trip through the "Nightmare" stretch of the Everglades. Jenn is also a twin whose sister died many years ago in an accident, so Dr. Braithwaite believes she'll be a good fit to get Mary to open up.
Mary's narration takes place between when she first meets her twin sister, Sam, randomly on their first day at college, through the night of the canoe trip. This part of the narration jumps around a lot more, showing only scenes throughout the five year period.
I felt like I had a pretty good idea of where this story would go, and I was correct for the first 85-ish% of the book. To Rico's credit, from there, things did start happening pretty fast. I saw another reviewer describe it as a snowball, and that felt accurate. It's a very, very slow burn until things start happening pretty quickly near the end.
If you read my reviews for content warnings, I wouldn't say this book was sexually or violently explicit. There are mentions of sex and a few brief - extremely brief - descriptions so you have an idea of what's happening when it's relevant, and not for any romantic or sexual reason. There's also a smattering of F-words throughout the book, more to paint a picture of Sam and Mary being so different than anything else.
The remainder of my review will go in a spoiler tag so I can write more openly about the specifics of the novel and my thoughts, so read on at your own discretion!
Overall, though, it was a fun read, and I wanted to see where things would go next. I'd be interested in reading more of Rico's work that maybe doesn't split POVs to see if I enjoy it more. It's clear that she thinks through where the reader will be thinking the story goes, and then she takes it several steps past that point, which is so engaging. I thought the ending was nicely done, with enough suspense to leave you wondering how it will all pan out even after the events of the novel are over - which keeps the reader thinking about your book, even after they've put it down.
Mirror Image is an interesting story, one where you're never quite sure where the pieces are going to exactly line up. It's split into two POVs - Jenn Flores in the present (and occasionally ten years and twenty-three years in the past) and Mary Langston in the past. Jenn is a psychiatrist who used to work at a hospital in Miami until there is a blow up with her residency there. She hasn't been back since the falling out with her mentor, Julian Braithwaite - until Dr. Braithwaite calls her up and asks her to treat Mary Langston, the surviving twin of a bad trip through the "Nightmare" stretch of the Everglades. Jenn is also a twin whose sister died many years ago in an accident, so Dr. Braithwaite believes she'll be a good fit to get Mary to open up.
Mary's narration takes place between when she first meets her twin sister, Sam, randomly on their first day at college, through the night of the canoe trip. This part of the narration jumps around a lot more, showing only scenes throughout the five year period.
I felt like I had a pretty good idea of where this story would go, and I was correct for the first 85-ish% of the book. To Rico's credit, from there, things did start happening pretty fast. I saw another reviewer describe it as a snowball, and that felt accurate. It's a very, very slow burn until things start happening pretty quickly near the end.
If you read my reviews for content warnings, I wouldn't say this book was sexually or violently explicit. There are mentions of sex and a few brief - extremely brief - descriptions so you have an idea of what's happening when it's relevant, and not for any romantic or sexual reason. There's also a smattering of F-words throughout the book, more to paint a picture of Sam and Mary being so different than anything else.
The remainder of my review will go in a spoiler tag so I can write more openly about the specifics of the novel and my thoughts, so read on at your own discretion!
Overall, though, it was a fun read, and I wanted to see where things would go next. I'd be interested in reading more of Rico's work that maybe doesn't split POVs to see if I enjoy it more. It's clear that she thinks through where the reader will be thinking the story goes, and then she takes it several steps past that point, which is so engaging. I thought the ending was nicely done, with enough suspense to leave you wondering how it will all pan out even after the events of the novel are over - which keeps the reader thinking about your book, even after they've put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Lauren E. Rico, you are a wonderful writer. Every one of your books manages to pull me in, and Mirror Image is absolutely no exception.
What I love most about Rico’s writing is how effortlessly she creates momentum. Her prose are quick, precise, and engaging without sacrificing the depth of the story. I found myself completely absorbed, always wanting to read just a little more because I needed to know what's to come.
And the characters! The sisters, and Jennifer, are so well developed. I found myself constantly questioning which twin was who, trying to piece together the twin's individual identities, motivations, and secrets. While also trying to see how Jennifer's past and profession would collide with theirs. I was completely invested in all of them, not just in figuring out the connections, but in seeing where their stories would ultimately take them. While reading I questioned action, stories and motives. Trying desperately to stay one step ahead and also enjoying going along for the ride.
Then there are twists. So many twists! I constantly was thinking "And then, and then, and then." What impressed me was that the twists never felt thrown in simply for shock value. They made sense within the story and felt believable, which made the surprises that much more satisfying. I love a book that can keep me guessing without making me feel manipulated, and Rico absolutely delivers that here.
Mirror Image is the kind of domestic thriller that keeps you turning pages because you genuinely want to know what happens next. The writing, character development, pacing, and overall story came together beautifully for me.
Lauren E. Rico has once again reminded me why I keep coming back to her books. She has a real talent for creating complicated characters, building tension, and leading readers down a path where you think you know exactly where you're going, only to realize you were wrong. All in a very good, very satisfying way.
I cannot wait to sell this book!!! How lucky are we that Rico is local!! And if you haven't discovered Lauren E. Rico yet, Mirror Image would be a great place to start. Just be prepared to be occupied for a while shirk you responsibilities.
Lauren E. Rico, you are a wonderful writer. Every one of your books manages to pull me in, and Mirror Image is absolutely no exception.
What I love most about Rico’s writing is how effortlessly she creates momentum. Her prose are quick, precise, and engaging without sacrificing the depth of the story. I found myself completely absorbed, always wanting to read just a little more because I needed to know what's to come.
And the characters! The sisters, and Jennifer, are so well developed. I found myself constantly questioning which twin was who, trying to piece together the twin's individual identities, motivations, and secrets. While also trying to see how Jennifer's past and profession would collide with theirs. I was completely invested in all of them, not just in figuring out the connections, but in seeing where their stories would ultimately take them. While reading I questioned action, stories and motives. Trying desperately to stay one step ahead and also enjoying going along for the ride.
Then there are twists. So many twists! I constantly was thinking "And then, and then, and then." What impressed me was that the twists never felt thrown in simply for shock value. They made sense within the story and felt believable, which made the surprises that much more satisfying. I love a book that can keep me guessing without making me feel manipulated, and Rico absolutely delivers that here.
Mirror Image is the kind of domestic thriller that keeps you turning pages because you genuinely want to know what happens next. The writing, character development, pacing, and overall story came together beautifully for me.
Lauren E. Rico has once again reminded me why I keep coming back to her books. She has a real talent for creating complicated characters, building tension, and leading readers down a path where you think you know exactly where you're going, only to realize you were wrong. All in a very good, very satisfying way.
I cannot wait to sell this book!!! How lucky are we that Rico is local!! And if you haven't discovered Lauren E. Rico yet, Mirror Image would be a great place to start. Just be prepared to be occupied for a while shirk you responsibilities.
September 27, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley.
This book was SO good! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and could not put it down. The story kept me engaged the entire time, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, the plot twist completely caught me by surprise. I honestly did not see it coming at all!The writing was captivating, the characters were well-developed, and the pacing was perfect. Every chapter left me wanting to read just one more, which quickly turned into several more. It’s one of those books that keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve finished.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was SO good! From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and could not put it down. The story kept me engaged the entire time, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, the plot twist completely caught me by surprise. I honestly did not see it coming at all!The writing was captivating, the characters were well-developed, and the pacing was perfect. Every chapter left me wanting to read just one more, which quickly turned into several more. It’s one of those books that keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve finished.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Twists I never saw coming!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My skin started crawling within the first few chapters. This was not going to be an ordinary read.
We follow multiple timelines from the two main characters: Jenn, a psychologist consulting on the case of Mary, a young woman rescued from the Everglades while losing her twin. Jenn left Florida under traumatic circumstances but is drawn back by the similarity of Mary's problems. We jump between 10 years back Jenn as a resident at the hospital, to current Jenn in New York and in Florida, along with dreams and flashbacks to her teen years, interspersed with Mary five years back as a new college student, two years back with her twin, and in the hospital recovering. All of this would have been enough. But.
Several twists I did not expect. One I kind of did but even that was then subverted.
OK, plot aside, the writing is special. Just a few teasers (I read an ARC so your mileage may vary):
"You always did know how to weaponize optimism."
... overshadowed by the looming presence of her absence and the excruciating volume of her silence.
"Oh, make no mistake about it, I'm still an ass. I'm just an older, wiser ass."
Overall, the writing doesn't waste motion. Tension when needed, support when needed, South Florida color. Conflicted characters, not one-dimensional cutouts. My first book by Ms Rico but hopefully her others stand up as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to see this advance copy.
We follow multiple timelines from the two main characters: Jenn, a psychologist consulting on the case of Mary, a young woman rescued from the Everglades while losing her twin. Jenn left Florida under traumatic circumstances but is drawn back by the similarity of Mary's problems. We jump between 10 years back Jenn as a resident at the hospital, to current Jenn in New York and in Florida, along with dreams and flashbacks to her teen years, interspersed with Mary five years back as a new college student, two years back with her twin, and in the hospital recovering. All of this would have been enough. But.
Several twists I did not expect. One I kind of did but even that was then subverted.
OK, plot aside, the writing is special. Just a few teasers (I read an ARC so your mileage may vary):
"You always did know how to weaponize optimism."
... overshadowed by the looming presence of her absence and the excruciating volume of her silence.
"Oh, make no mistake about it, I'm still an ass. I'm just an older, wiser ass."
Overall, the writing doesn't waste motion. Tension when needed, support when needed, South Florida color. Conflicted characters, not one-dimensional cutouts. My first book by Ms Rico but hopefully her others stand up as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to see this advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image was my first book by Lauren E. Rico and it definitely won’t be my last.
This is the kind of psychological thriller that doesn’t come around very often. It never felt like a typical fast paced thriller instead, it’s a slow burning, moody and incredibly intense story that slowly pulls you in. It explores heavy topics like trauma, identity and complicated family dynamics in such an interesting and thoughtful way.
I absolutely loved the twin storyline. I also loved the Everglades setting. It was so vividly written that I could almost feel the heat, the humidity and the constant sense of unease.
This is such a raw, suspenseful story and I don’t want to say too much because I genuinely think it’s best to go into this one knowing as little as possible.
The writing was absolutely fantastic and I’ll definitely be picking up more from Lauren E. Rico. If you enjoy psychological suspense with messy, dysfunctional family dynamics, complex characters and a slow building sense of dread, I’d highly recommend this one.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the Arc!
This is the kind of psychological thriller that doesn’t come around very often. It never felt like a typical fast paced thriller instead, it’s a slow burning, moody and incredibly intense story that slowly pulls you in. It explores heavy topics like trauma, identity and complicated family dynamics in such an interesting and thoughtful way.
I absolutely loved the twin storyline. I also loved the Everglades setting. It was so vividly written that I could almost feel the heat, the humidity and the constant sense of unease.
This is such a raw, suspenseful story and I don’t want to say too much because I genuinely think it’s best to go into this one knowing as little as possible.
The writing was absolutely fantastic and I’ll definitely be picking up more from Lauren E. Rico. If you enjoy psychological suspense with messy, dysfunctional family dynamics, complex characters and a slow building sense of dread, I’d highly recommend this one.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the Arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the advance copy.
I really enjoyed Mirror Image. The whole idea of Mary and Sam being identical twins who have grown up completely separately, only to discover each other later in life, immediately grabbed me. And then having one sister end up dead and the other fighting for her life? Yeah, I needed to know what had happened.
I actually found myself more interested in the relationship between the sisters than simply solving the mystery. They couldn't have had more different childhoods, with Mary growing up wealthy and Sam moving through foster care, and I liked seeing how those experiences shaped them in very different ways. Jenn was also an interesting addition, especially with her own connection to having a twin.
The story does jump between different periods of time, and I didn't always love the slower sections, but I liked gradually getting more pieces of Mary's and Sam's lives. The Everglades setting also worked really well for the story — it gave everything a slightly isolated and uneasy feeling.
I did have to suspend disbelief a couple of times because some of the circumstances felt very coincidental 😂, and a few of the twists didn't completely surprise me. But I was invested enough in the characters and wanted to know what had happened, so those things didn't stop me enjoying it.
Definitely more of a family mystery with emotional depth than a straight-up thriller, which I actually ended up appreciating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I really enjoyed Mirror Image. The whole idea of Mary and Sam being identical twins who have grown up completely separately, only to discover each other later in life, immediately grabbed me. And then having one sister end up dead and the other fighting for her life? Yeah, I needed to know what had happened.
I actually found myself more interested in the relationship between the sisters than simply solving the mystery. They couldn't have had more different childhoods, with Mary growing up wealthy and Sam moving through foster care, and I liked seeing how those experiences shaped them in very different ways. Jenn was also an interesting addition, especially with her own connection to having a twin.
The story does jump between different periods of time, and I didn't always love the slower sections, but I liked gradually getting more pieces of Mary's and Sam's lives. The Everglades setting also worked really well for the story — it gave everything a slightly isolated and uneasy feeling.
I did have to suspend disbelief a couple of times because some of the circumstances felt very coincidental 😂, and a few of the twists didn't completely surprise me. But I was invested enough in the characters and wanted to know what had happened, so those things didn't stop me enjoying it.
Definitely more of a family mystery with emotional depth than a straight-up thriller, which I actually ended up appreciating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this story from start to finish.
I loved that this was suspenseful, yet also emotional when it came to the family and identity themes throughout.
The intersection of Jenn and Mary’s lives and the similarities truly had me on edge as I waited for more of the story to unfold.
I can’t remember the last time I felt gripped by a suspense book, where it was the relationships and bonds and familial dynamics that held my attention more than the mystery or whodunnit of it all.
There was a point where I could see a glimpse where this was going with one specific character, so that had me on edge for quite a bit. However, once that was completely unfolded, it was even more than I had imagined.
I just loved how open, raw and honest this felt. Like this story could be reality. I couldn’t help but feel for these characters at different stages in their lives. Sometimes I wanted to nudge them forward. Others, I wanted to hug them tight.
This had an ending I wasn’t expecting, but it feels like it ended really well. Great read. Be sure and check it out when it releases in October.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book before its release.
I loved that this was suspenseful, yet also emotional when it came to the family and identity themes throughout.
The intersection of Jenn and Mary’s lives and the similarities truly had me on edge as I waited for more of the story to unfold.
I can’t remember the last time I felt gripped by a suspense book, where it was the relationships and bonds and familial dynamics that held my attention more than the mystery or whodunnit of it all.
There was a point where I could see a glimpse where this was going with one specific character, so that had me on edge for quite a bit. However, once that was completely unfolded, it was even more than I had imagined.
I just loved how open, raw and honest this felt. Like this story could be reality. I couldn’t help but feel for these characters at different stages in their lives. Sometimes I wanted to nudge them forward. Others, I wanted to hug them tight.
This had an ending I wasn’t expecting, but it feels like it ended really well. Great read. Be sure and check it out when it releases in October.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book before its release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image by Lauren E. Rico is a gripping, emotional story that kept me curious from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the way the story moves back and forth between Jennifer and her twin and Mary and Sam.
Both sets of twins have experienced devastating tragedy, but in very different ways. As Jennifer’s story unfolds alongside Mary and Sam’s, questions about the past, family, loss, and the secrets people keep begin to surface. I found myself constantly wondering how everything was going to fit together and what was really happening beneath the surface.
I especially enjoyed the suspense created by not knowing who—or what—you could completely trust. The story kept me guessing, and I liked discovering the answers little by little rather than having everything spelled out.
And Gabe… every wife needs a husband like Gabe! ❤️
A compelling blend of family drama, tragedy, secrets, and suspense. I enjoyed watching the pieces come together and would definitely recommend it to readers who like stories that keep you questioning what’s really going on. 4.5 stars!
Both sets of twins have experienced devastating tragedy, but in very different ways. As Jennifer’s story unfolds alongside Mary and Sam’s, questions about the past, family, loss, and the secrets people keep begin to surface. I found myself constantly wondering how everything was going to fit together and what was really happening beneath the surface.
I especially enjoyed the suspense created by not knowing who—or what—you could completely trust. The story kept me guessing, and I liked discovering the answers little by little rather than having everything spelled out.
And Gabe… every wife needs a husband like Gabe! ❤️
A compelling blend of family drama, tragedy, secrets, and suspense. I enjoyed watching the pieces come together and would definitely recommend it to readers who like stories that keep you questioning what’s really going on. 4.5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fantastic emotional thriller with a setting as murky and atmospheric as the story itself. The story revolves around identical twins reunited as teens, and explores concepts such as nature vs. nurture, identity, grief and trauma. Author Rico does an excellent job of describing the vast, complex emotional landscape of identity, and the primeval bond between twins. Good pacing and great characterization. Loved how the setting of the wilderness and the Everglades mirrored the inner landscape of the twins. Highly recommend! #mirrorimage #laurenerico #netgalley #goodreads
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October 8, 2026This was one of my two free selections from the Amazon Kindle First Reads program for Oct. As far as my history goes with those books, this one is a winner. I didn't love it, there was too much bouncing around between the present time and several other past time periods, and I didn't like Sam, at all. The author seemed to want us to sympathize with Sam. I did not. She was a manipulative bitch, and her hard upbringing does not excuse that. She was horrible to everyone around her, even Mary, and Mary was really unfair to her parents. I have a feeling the author would have been an Lindsay Clancy sympathizer.
I thought it was hypocritical to criticize Mary's parents for waiting to tell her she was adopted until they felt that she was old enough to be told (according to Mary, but not telling her as a young child they were lying to her - I disagree with that as well. It is the job of the parent to protect a child and decide when and if a child is mature enough for sensitive information), but when Mary was considering adopting the baby at the end, she planned on not telling the baby her history. But that's ok?
But the story is compelling and held my interest. Definitely one of the better choices I've had with the Amazon program.
I thought it was hypocritical to criticize Mary's parents for waiting to tell her she was adopted until they felt that she was old enough to be told (according to Mary, but not telling her as a young child they were lying to her - I disagree with that as well. It is the job of the parent to protect a child and decide when and if a child is mature enough for sensitive information), but when Mary was considering adopting the baby at the end, she planned on not telling the baby her history. But that's ok?
But the story is compelling and held my interest. Definitely one of the better choices I've had with the Amazon program.
June 8, 2026
3.75 stars rounded up - what in The Parent Trap?
Mirror Image follows twin sisters who discover one another later in life, setting off a chain of family secrets and revelations. They even go to camp.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. The premise hooked me immediately, and even when I thought I had figured out one of the twists, the story ended up going in a different direction than I expected.
My biggest struggle was believability and pacing. I found myself having to suspend disbelief throughout the book, especially when it came to how quickly the twins connected and how fast some of the major family revelations unfolded.
That said, I was entertained from start to finish. I kept turning the pages, I cared about finding out what happened, and the story surprised me more than once.
Overall, this wasn’t a perfect thriller for me, but it was a unique and engaging read that kept my attention the entire time.
Mirror Image follows twin sisters who discover one another later in life, setting off a chain of family secrets and revelations. They even go to camp.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. The premise hooked me immediately, and even when I thought I had figured out one of the twists, the story ended up going in a different direction than I expected.
My biggest struggle was believability and pacing. I found myself having to suspend disbelief throughout the book, especially when it came to how quickly the twins connected and how fast some of the major family revelations unfolded.
That said, I was entertained from start to finish. I kept turning the pages, I cared about finding out what happened, and the story surprised me more than once.
Overall, this wasn’t a perfect thriller for me, but it was a unique and engaging read that kept my attention the entire time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
The twins Mary and Sam were separated at birth and reunited at university.
Years later, following an accident in the Everglades, Dr Jennifer Flores is tasked with treating Mary, the surviving twin.
Jenn hasn’t been back to Florida for a long time, and now she’s going to have to face the people who drove her away from there, whilst trying to treat her patient and uncover what she’s hiding.
Across two timelines, we gradually piece together the events and the somewhat unhinged relationship that develops between the sisters. Beneath the surface, of course, there are many more incidents that are slowly revealed.
A twisted and emotional psychological thriller that is well worth reading
The twins Mary and Sam were separated at birth and reunited at university.
Years later, following an accident in the Everglades, Dr Jennifer Flores is tasked with treating Mary, the surviving twin.
Jenn hasn’t been back to Florida for a long time, and now she’s going to have to face the people who drove her away from there, whilst trying to treat her patient and uncover what she’s hiding.
Across two timelines, we gradually piece together the events and the somewhat unhinged relationship that develops between the sisters. Beneath the surface, of course, there are many more incidents that are slowly revealed.
A twisted and emotional psychological thriller that is well worth reading
June 28, 2026
📖 Mirror Image by Lauren E. Rico
⭐️⭐️
This book covers a wide range of topics that may be triggering for some readers, so I’d definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up. It explores themes such as family, love, friendship, mental health, and much more.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. While there were a few unexpected twists that kept things interesting, I never really managed to connect with the story the way I had hoped. The narrative switches between three different timelines, which I found quite confusing. If it had only been two, I probably would have found it much easier to follow.
That being said, the writing itself was well done, it simply came down to personal preference. Sadly, I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story.
⭐️⭐️
This book covers a wide range of topics that may be triggering for some readers, so I’d definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking it up. It explores themes such as family, love, friendship, mental health, and much more.
Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. While there were a few unexpected twists that kept things interesting, I never really managed to connect with the story the way I had hoped. The narrative switches between three different timelines, which I found quite confusing. If it had only been two, I probably would have found it much easier to follow.
That being said, the writing itself was well done, it simply came down to personal preference. Sadly, I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC - all thoughts and opinions are my own!
This is one of those twisty thrillers that I honestly love to read - I’m constantly trying to figure out what’s going on and who I can trust, and it makes the reading experience so much fun! I especially love it when there are identical twins involved and there’s a crazy backstory, too.
It feels like it could be a Netflix series or TV movie just with the lies, twists, and reveals and while I disliked Sam, Mary and Jenn were two of my absolute favorites! This was a quick read and it really kept me entertained so definitely a great read if you like twists, long-lost twin sisters, and stories that get more dark and twisted the longer you read!
This is one of those twisty thrillers that I honestly love to read - I’m constantly trying to figure out what’s going on and who I can trust, and it makes the reading experience so much fun! I especially love it when there are identical twins involved and there’s a crazy backstory, too.
It feels like it could be a Netflix series or TV movie just with the lies, twists, and reveals and while I disliked Sam, Mary and Jenn were two of my absolute favorites! This was a quick read and it really kept me entertained so definitely a great read if you like twists, long-lost twin sisters, and stories that get more dark and twisted the longer you read!
Read
July 5, 2026*I received an ARC for a review
Keep pulling the string- Mary and Sam learn, while going through the ID registration line at their college, that they are twins who had been separated at birth and didn't know about each other.
Mary grew up with parents who are very well, not having to worry about money. Whereas Sam struggled her entire life going from foster home to foster home.
But Mary and Sam aren't the only Twins you will learn about in this book. There is Jenn, who is brought in to help Mary and she is a twin as well.
There are so many twists and turns in this book you won't want to put this book down. Pre-order this book now!
Keep pulling the string- Mary and Sam learn, while going through the ID registration line at their college, that they are twins who had been separated at birth and didn't know about each other.
Mary grew up with parents who are very well, not having to worry about money. Whereas Sam struggled her entire life going from foster home to foster home.
But Mary and Sam aren't the only Twins you will learn about in this book. There is Jenn, who is brought in to help Mary and she is a twin as well.
There are so many twists and turns in this book you won't want to put this book down. Pre-order this book now!
October 4, 2026
A quick, enjoyable read that had me eagerly turning each page.
The pacing was FAST, and the twists were intriguing.
Complaints:
Mary and Sam were incredibly immature - even given their age of 18 at the onset of the book.
The parents were all over the place and inconsistent.
I found the development of the sibling relationship to be too fast and unbelievable for the narrative.
The entire plot felt extremely rushed.
I would have liked more descriptive details about Miami. I mean, this city was the perfect setting for the story but lacked a little because of this oversight.
With all of that said, I enjoyed this author’s storytelling and her characters’ voices.
The pacing was FAST, and the twists were intriguing.
Complaints:
Mary and Sam were incredibly immature - even given their age of 18 at the onset of the book.
The parents were all over the place and inconsistent.
I found the development of the sibling relationship to be too fast and unbelievable for the narrative.
The entire plot felt extremely rushed.
I would have liked more descriptive details about Miami. I mean, this city was the perfect setting for the story but lacked a little because of this oversight.
With all of that said, I enjoyed this author’s storytelling and her characters’ voices.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the eARC.
This is an excellent book, featuring2 sets of twins, past and present, and the traumas they endured for different reasons. One is a renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Flores, who's called on to help a traumatized girl, who has lost her sister.
This is a complex psychological thriller, featuring a scary and unscrupulous doctor Jennifer comes up against (again) and a great twist at the end.
It's really good, hard to put down and very well written, I loved it!
This is an excellent book, featuring2 sets of twins, past and present, and the traumas they endured for different reasons. One is a renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Flores, who's called on to help a traumatized girl, who has lost her sister.
This is a complex psychological thriller, featuring a scary and unscrupulous doctor Jennifer comes up against (again) and a great twist at the end.
It's really good, hard to put down and very well written, I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image by Lauren E. Rico is a thriller that is eerily possible. Dr. Flores goes to Miami, even though the person asking her for help nearly ruined her life, & assists with a strange case regarding twins. The most disturbing part isn't even that they were even found in the woods, it's the secrets that Dr. Flores uncovers that is truly disturbing! If you want to make your heart hurt & enjoy it at the same time, read this immediately! You will not regret it! This WILL become a Movie, I just know it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
My introduction to Lauren E. Rico came highly recommended by my librarian. When the book later popped up in a newsletter, I took it as a sign and dove right in. I opted to read it entirely blind, skipping the summary altogether. That choice paid off beautifully; the sharp twists and engaging suspense kept me hooked from start to finish. Highly recommended. I absolutely loved it.
My introduction to Lauren E. Rico came highly recommended by my librarian. When the book later popped up in a newsletter, I took it as a sign and dove right in. I opted to read it entirely blind, skipping the summary altogether. That choice paid off beautifully; the sharp twists and engaging suspense kept me hooked from start to finish. Highly recommended. I absolutely loved it.
July 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel.
3.5 rounded up. I really enjoy Lauren E. Rico’s writing. There is an additional layer that takes the story deeper than you’d think. This one is more a traditional thriller than the other I read from her. There were several areas where I had to suspend disbelief which is what lowered my rating a little but overall still a great read.
June 1, 2026
This book reveals numerous things. Dr. Jennifer Flores has to return to Miami years after a tragic event nearly ruined her career. Mary and Sam are identical twins separated from birth. They reunited while in college. After a tragic event, Jenn has to dig deeper into the twins. The book reveals the dark secrets and the bond between Mary and Sam.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image follows twin sisters who discover one another later in life, setting off a chain of family secrets and revelations.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. The premise hooked me immediately, and even when I thought I had figured out one of the twists, the story ended up going in a different direction than I expected.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. The premise hooked me immediately, and even when I thought I had figured out one of the twists, the story ended up going in a different direction than I expected.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mirror Image was my recent Book Club pick and I have never been so proud. What an amazing choice for our group of gals! Too many twists to count. Relevant, relatable, entertaining characters. If you are looking for your next book club pick - This is IT! So many topics to discuss and I had no trouble creating questions to ask the group.
October 6, 2026
Mary and Sam
This book kept giving me more of the characters and their lives! I haven’t enjoyed a book like this for some time! Twins who find each other by chance, then become each others world only to have one of them die. The remaining twin has a new identity to bear to keep her secret safe.
This book kept giving me more of the characters and their lives! I haven’t enjoyed a book like this for some time! Twins who find each other by chance, then become each others world only to have one of them die. The remaining twin has a new identity to bear to keep her secret safe.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I could not put this book down!
I was drawn in by the multiple POVs as well as the multiple timelines. Thw author kept me captivated and guessing the entire time. The way it all played out at the end, with the twist was amazing.
5/5 stars!!!
I was drawn in by the multiple POVs as well as the multiple timelines. Thw author kept me captivated and guessing the entire time. The way it all played out at the end, with the twist was amazing.
5/5 stars!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mirror Image was such a fun, creepy read! The atmosphere is dark and unsettling right from chapter one. It had a brief slow spot midway through, but the tension builds back up quickly into a fantastic ending. Super glad to be given the opportunity to read this early through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The twists in this book kept me wanting to turn the page and read more. I truly enjoyed the author’s attention to detail. I took this book on vacation and my daughter and I ended up fighting over it (and having great discussions about the characters along the way),
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