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The Double

Alison Brodie (Goodreads Author)

4.62 · Rating details · 34 ratings · 23 reviews

Beth is mistaken for rock star Sonita La Cruz, and ends up on a billionaire-dollar yacht. As a shift-worker in Glasgow, Beth has only known hardship. Now she's in a world of uniformed stewards, delicious French food and rows of gorgeous designer clothes. Beth keeps quiet about the mix-up, determined to wear every outfit in her wardrobe before she's sent home. What's wrong ...more

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Kindle Edition, 294 pages

Published January 19th 2016

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Mar 20, 2016 Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 4-or-more-stars, adult, blog-tour, promo-stars, arc-reviewed

Book – The Double
Author – Alison Brodie
Publication Date – January 19, 2016
Genre – Chick Lit
Type – Stand Alone
Cliffhanger – No
Rating – 5 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts - Story
Wow…what a world to get transported into! I so loved the characters in this book and Ms. Brodie did a spectacular job of bringing them to life.

OMG…don’t even get me started on Beth…she stole my heart and mind and had me laughing/crying the whol ...more

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Jan 08, 2017 Dianne marked it as to-read

It's HERE! Celebrate the release of BRAKE FAILURE! Click on Banner to enter! Intl where allowed

http://tometender.blogspot.com/2017/01/alison-brodie-unleashes-brake-failure.html

...more

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Mar 02, 2016 David Carraturo rated it it was amazing

A very fun read. I enjoyed The Double very much. Alison Brodie gives an entertaining tale and provides the reader with an interesting twist to the many doppelganger type stories. I think the Beth character was written smartly from her growth as a naive, drifting kidnapped victim - who at that point in her life needed to be shaken up by something even being abducted - to her rebirth as the story unfolds. The pace of each chapter was kept throughout and left me wanting to read more. I am not a chi ...more

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Mar 23, 2016 Holly rated it really liked it

Rating: 4.5/5

Originally reviewed for Bookaholic Confessions

On the surface, world famous rock Goddess Sonita La Cruz appears to have the perfect life. She is set to blow all competition out of the water with her latest performance, she has a loving fiancé who would do anything for her and she is rich, successful and glamorous. However there is something (or someone) in Sontia’s life who is making it far from perfect..
Aleksandr Shtcherbatsky Zhivago is travelling to Transnistria to visit his nephe Rating: 4.5/5

Originally reviewed for Bookaholic Confessions

On the surface, world famous rock Goddess Sonita La Cruz appears to have the perfect life. She is set to blow all competition out of the water with her latest performance, she has a loving fiancé who would do anything for her and she is rich, successful and glamorous. However there is something (or someone) in Sontia’s life who is making it far from perfect..
Aleksandr Shtcherbatsky Zhivago is travelling to Transnistria to visit his nephew Pavlo and is shocked with what he finds. The Ukraine is suffering after the invasion by Moldova and Aleksandr discovers Pavlo is one of many children suffering from tuberculosis and is living in a disused mine. The few nurses who are looking after Pavlo don’t have the medicines that they need to help these children recover. Aleksander realises he needs to do something – and fast.
He tries contacting various pop stars in a bid to get them to help his cause. He receives a response back from none other than Sontia La Cruz saying that she wants to help, however when he tries to follow up on her correspondence he has difficulty getting hold of her. There’s only one thing for it…Sonita can’t be that hard to find, surely?
Then we have auxiliary nurse Beth. Trapped in a loveless marriage and fed up with the drudgery of her day-to-day life, Beth is dismayed to find out that one of her gorgeous colleagues Enrico is returning to Spain. Little does he realise but Enrico has been the one who gets Beth through changing bed-pans, how can she carry on without him? However, when Beth attends his leaving do a series of unfortunate events lead to a classic case of mistaken identity. Things start to look really odd when Beth awakes the next day finding herself on a boat in the middle of nowhere. As for the men who ‘kidnapped’ her and put her on the boat in the first place? Well, they think she’s none other than the one and only Sonita La Cruz…

This is the first novel of Alison Brodie’s that I have read and I can say with sheer certainty that it won’t be the last because I absolutely loved it.
You can’t help but quickly become intrigued by this quirky story and the direction that it seems to be taking. There’s so many layers to the plot and the more you read, the more you discover and the more desperate you become to find out what’s going to happen. Because of the complexity of the story I don’t think you could pigeon hole this novel into one category. It’s a kind of romance/thriller/mystery/historical with humour, intrigue and plenty of drama thrown in for good measure.
The format of the novel works SO well. The story is told from various characters viewpoint’s and I liked this because I felt as though you could build up a stronger picture of each character and their situation. The way everything then comes together is done brilliantly, with plenty of surprises along the way. It’s amazing that all the characters are interlinked in some way or another and Alison has been so clever with her writing to make this work.
I also enjoyed hearing from each character in turn and they became very real to me, possibly one of the reasons for this is that Alison writes for each character using their accent. So there’s plenty of Russian and Scottish tinged dialogue and this really added to the authenticity to me. I had no trouble picturing these characters and it also enabled me to differentiate between all the characters a lot easier.

Alison has obviously put a huge amount of research into this novel. Being based in so many different countries helps the story to move at a fast-pace and I feel as though I learnt a lot from this novel. I felt for the children in Transnistria and the living conditions they had been subjected to – all because of war. It makes for shocking and upsetting reading at times, but with Aleksander fighting the children’s corner you know that he will find a way to make things right.
Character-wise Beth was probably my favourite. The way she handled being mistaken for Sontia was sheer brilliance, even if she did take to using a megaphone and having someone cater to her every whim a little too easily… The way her story starts is also heartbreaking, only in a completely different way. It soon becomes clear that she has been worn down by life and the way her husband treated her was disgusting. I was desperate for her to gain the confidence to kick him to the kerb, but couldn’t realistically see how she was going to do this…
Aleksander was also a joy to read about. Passionate and caring, he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in and I really liked him. I also liked the real Sontia La Cruz. She had come from such a horrific background and was going through a really difficult and rather frightening time. There is a part of the story where she escapes to Scotland and this was such a thought-provoking, wonderful part of the story. (Especially the relationship she builds with ‘Thunderbrows’.) It’s almost like she re-discovers herself and it’s a fascinating part of the story. Sonita is a million miles away from being a diva and I warmed to her really quickly. It’s clear that both she and Beth are polar opposites – but it’s amazing what a case of mistaken identity could do for each of their lives…

The Double was a cracking read which I struggled to put down. It’s funny, fascinating and one which has characters who will play on your mind long after you’ve finished reading. I couldn’t wait to see how things were going to pan out and Alison certainly didn’t let me down with the ending. I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting end to a compelling and captivating read. ...more

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Feb 01, 2016 Rabiya added it

The Double is another addition to author Alison Brodie’s body of work, and proof of her genius in writing fiction. The novel is set against the backdrop of a civil war in the Eastern States, and is a story of loyalty, love, and personal conflict.
Sonita La Cruz has it all—a loving fiancé, fame, success—and is ready to get back on a concert tour, jet setting her career with a fresh start. Yet, she is haunted by a stalker, who sends her blood-tinged notes, who has vowed to end her life. Her childh The Double is another addition to author Alison Brodie’s body of work, and proof of her genius in writing fiction. The novel is set against the backdrop of a civil war in the Eastern States, and is a story of loyalty, love, and personal conflict.
Sonita La Cruz has it all—a loving fiancé, fame, success—and is ready to get back on a concert tour, jet setting her career with a fresh start. Yet, she is haunted by a stalker, who sends her blood-tinged notes, who has vowed to end her life. Her childhood friend Paolo is concerned for her safety, and wants her to take a vacation. While still in doubt, an accident at her concert scares her numb, and she follows through Paolo’s suggestion despite her manager’s warnings. On her cruise en route to Scotland, she has no idea what is in store for her.
Aleksandr is a man marred by loneliness, and addiction to alcohol. He wants to do more for his crime-ridden country, but cannot find the willpower to do so. Upon his trip to visit his nephew, he realizes how badly his country has been affected by invasion by Moldova. When he reaches the refugee camps, he is shocked to find that his beloved nephew Pavlo is kept in isolation. Pavlo along with other kids were victims of tuberculosis, and the scarce hospital staff had no resources for treatment. Angered by this, he decides to write to the American singer Sonita, and gets a positive response from her that she will help them upon contact. When her manager informs Aleksandr that Sonita is on a break, he and his friends hatch a plan to get her attention.
Beth is tired. Tired of her ongoing tirades with her husband, and her laborious job. Forced into motherhood and marriage at an early age, Beth longs for a life of contentment and love. When her colleague Enrico announces that he’s leaving, she realizes she has feelings for him. Beth reaches Enrico’s farewell bash, she barely misses him. She tries to follow his taxi, but two men appear out of nowhere. She wakes up in a bobbing boat, and realizes she’s been mistaken for Sonita La Cruz.
The lives of these three people cross in this gripping story. The only major flaw is the lack of character development, and the introduction of new characters gradually in the book. It’s an engaging novel, which keeps the reader hooked till the end, making for an excellent effort by Alison Brodie. ...more

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May 29, 2016 Grass monster rated it really liked it

At first i wasnt too sure about this book, maybe because so much was happening with so many characters i was trying to get my head around it all and i found it a bit confusing. I wanted to keep going as it sounded like a good read. For me it picked up after about 30% in. I was then hooked and kept on turning to see how it all panned out. Its worth sticking with it.
Aleksandr travels to Transnistria to see his nephew Pavlo, upon arriving he is shocked at what he finds. The Ukraine is suffering aft ...more

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Apr 27, 2016 vvb rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, review-copy-received, romance, thriller, women-s-fiction

I was in for a fun wild ride with this read. There was more than one storyline to follow and each proved to be as engaging as the other. Serious issues are also presented and addressed along with the fun stuff.

The mix of mystery, thriller and romance intermingle through the story in an even flow which kept me glued to get to the end. It was interesting to see how things intersected at the end to either create havoc or resolution.

The characters were colorful and varied which also added as fun ele ...more

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Apr 19, 2016 Reviews May Vary rated it really liked it

Shelves: requested-review, reviewed-on-blog, z2016-rock-my-tbr, z2016-tbr-pile

There is not a lot to add to the plot given the details that the blurb gives. Sonita is a humanitarian rock star who is starting to feel the pressure of being famous. Beth is a nurse who is married to an asshole and is always putting the needs of other's before her own. When Beth decides to have a night out, and maybe explore some naughty feelings with a work-mate, she is kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity.

Full review: http://bookedupandbossy.blogspot.com/... ...more

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May 14, 2016 United Indie Book Blog rated it it was amazing

You dream to have some direction in life but what if being mistaken by a singer take you down a path were you seem to know that changed your dream a little by truly finding real love. Every character has found their real path to understand what love really means to show how you can understand your other equal partner is to show that you really care for others and stand up for what you believe that make you happy. Love this story and what adventure it was to explore through each other journey to ...more

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May 13, 2016 Ashley Stevenson rated it it was amazing

I received advanced copy from United Indie Book Blog for my honest review. You dream to have some direction in life but what if being mistaken by a singer take you down a path were you seem to know that changed your dream a little by truly finding real love. Every character has found their real path to understand what love really means to show how you can understand your other equal partner is to show that you really care for others and stand up for what you believe that make you happy. Love thi ...more

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Feb 02, 2016 Brendy rated it really liked it

Shelves: action-movie-like, good-plots, living-room, love-comedy, suspense, white

So The Double

Okay, when you read a book and you get everything from one single POV, usually from the heroine you're like 'oh wow, that's nice; then there's book 2 where you get the guy's POV and we all go like: "Love it, now i have the whole thing together", right?
So here we have like 4 POV's if I'm not mistaken. So good that you will not only have the whole picture together, but at some point you'll be feeling like if you were playing

description

so you can follow the lead of each one of the characters.

so ...more

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Apr 05, 2016 Caroline Barker rated it it was amazing

Alison Brodie’s The Double has it all; from diva Sonita, the rock star, being stalked and threatened, to a gritty, realistic housing estate in Glasgow where nurse Beth is trying to make sense of her life, right through to a kidnapping followed by a luxurious adventure on a billionaire’s yacht on the Côte d’Azur. Meanwhile, Aleksandr, the captain, has had to deal with the effects of a civil war in the Eastern Bloc, and is now fighting to save many children suffering with tuberculosis as medical s Alison Brodie’s The Double has it all; from diva Sonita, the rock star, being stalked and threatened, to a gritty, realistic housing estate in Glasgow where nurse Beth is trying to make sense of her life, right through to a kidnapping followed by a luxurious adventure on a billionaire’s yacht on the Côte d’Azur. Meanwhile, Aleksandr, the captain, has had to deal with the effects of a civil war in the Eastern Bloc, and is now fighting to save many children suffering with tuberculosis as medical supplies cannot reach them and warfare is threatening their makeshift hospital site. Yes, if you’re looking for a little drama and mystery in a well-constructed romance story this is perfect for you!

The opening chapter sparks the interest of the reader immediately as we find a seemingly dark character acting secretly and wants Sonita La Cruz dead! This is a dark start for a fun, romance novel, but it captures a sense of fear and suspense from the offset, making the curious reader need to find out what becomes of both parties.

Although written in third person, the reader has an in-depth take on each main character as whole chapters are focussed on one at a time, as we discover their current situations as well as their background. My favourite character has to be Beth, partly for wanting the escape that she is able to have from her average life, and partly as she is the one that takes many risks throughout the story.

Beth is at the point in her life where, even though a mum, she is still young. Her kids are independents now, and aside from her nursing job, all she has is a selfish man in Andy, and a shabby tower-block flat. Once the initial kidnapping is realised, Beth begins to come round to the idea, choosing to go along with it. I mean, after all, when does she ever feel free; free from routine, free from work, free from Glasgow, free from Andy and his controlling ways. Surely she deserves some luxury and freedom at last. Why not pose as beautiful superstar Sonita La Cruz? Beth begins to think that maybe her dreams could come true, and she doesn’t have to feel so trapped in her life. She adapts quickly and learns how to relax, to enjoy life, rather than stressing about her work, Andy, money, etc.

“This was so different to sunbathing at home. There, she had a tiny balcony, just about big enough for four plastic stools, a bike repair box and a scrawny plant….. In the summer, between five and six in the evening, the sun would touch one corner of the balcony – high up. Desperate for sunshine, she’d stand in her knickers and bra, one foot on a stool, one foot on the railings, her hand holding onto the washing line for support….

… Now, instead of teetering on the edge of a council block in saggy grey knickers, she lay on a cushioned sun-lounger alongside a luxurious pool, on a gorgeous yacht with a champagne re-fuelling depot nearby and an army of uniformed stewards, out of sight, but close at hand, ready to be summoned by the tinkling of a little bell.” (Beth)

That said, it is also clear that Sonita La Cruz is also looking for an escapism. Although a rock star, she is not recording the style of music she favours, she is very much subjected to media attention constantly, and her real feelings lie with being charitable to those, especially children, in need – something that her partner ignores. During the course of the story, ignorant of Beth’s situation, Sonita tries to find a relaxing moment herself, as she keeps her head down low from any threat, and her busy lifestyle.

It is a certain read in particular for the summer and holiday season. And, one of the most exciting and fascinating parts of the story were, for me, the way in which it provides a largely relaxing read despite the dark drama/mystery that lies beneath the surface. I just loved imagining myself to be in Beth’s shoes sunbathing on a luxurious yacht on the Med, blue skies, blue sea, with fine dining and clothes, etc, and not worrying too much about the consequences until I’d have to.

The icing on the cake is the knowledge that Beth is quite aware, certainly as the story progresses, that it is all in the name of charity; in being able to hopefully provide many children with the treatment that they need, during an absolutely crucial time when no one else can! Mix that in with a chance of romance and it is perfect. But will Beth realise where her heart is really at before it’s too late?

If you’d like a book to transport you on a relaxing holiday, with fun, drama and romance The Double is just the one!

A copy of The Double was provided by Alison Brodie in return for a fair and honest review.
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Apr 20, 2016 Jules rated it really liked it

The Double by Allison Brodie is a highly entertaining story with some interesting twists to the doppelganger premise. This unique work of fiction does have a basis in truth; I had not heard of some of the small Eastern European countries in the story, and it was interesting to get a few facts about them. The Double defies genre categorization as it is at times fun and mad-cap, and at other times thought-provoking with a sprinkle of history and romance.

The Double is told from four points of view, The Double by Allison Brodie is a highly entertaining story with some interesting twists to the doppelganger premise. This unique work of fiction does have a basis in truth; I had not heard of some of the small Eastern European countries in the story, and it was interesting to get a few facts about them. The Double defies genre categorization as it is at times fun and mad-cap, and at other times thought-provoking with a sprinkle of history and romance.

The Double is told from four points of view, each of which tells a different thread of the story. The setting changes from the UK to Eastern Europe. Poverty and luxury are sharply contrasted as the story moves from St. Tropez yacht harbors and closets filled with haute couture to sick children in impoverished and war-torn Eastern European mining towns. The beginning of the book is a bit confusing, but stick with it as all will be revealed in a very delightful way. Brodie brought together the complex introduction of the multiple story threads and characters admirably. The interwoven plots provide for an exciting read. There is never a dull moment in this book!

The cast of characters is huge. From boorish husbands, to pop-chart stars to smugglers and revolutionaries, Brodie’s quirky characters are well developed. I loved Beth, the unappreciated wife and nurse, who is mistaken for singing sensation, Sonita La Cruz. Her life needed a good shaking up, and she certainly gets one when she is accidentally kidnapped. Beth takes those lemons and makes a giant batch of lemonade. She finds inner strength and self-appreciation while taking every twist and turn in stride. Most of the main characters have experiences that also lead them to personal growth, success, and love.

It is obvious that in addition to skilled storytelling, Ms. Brodie excels at researching the people and setting of her book. The Double is filled with geographic details and current issues. Brodie’s witty sense of humor shines through each hair-brained idea the characters hatch. The writing quality, story complexity, and unique premise make The Double a captivating, light-hearted tale.

Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Visit the Book Junkie Reviews blog for more recommendations: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
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Feb 12, 2016 Lauren Sapala rated it it was amazing

This is the kind of book I like to think of as a “treat yourself” book. Great for when you have that long weekend at the beach, or the snowstorm that demands you curl up inside with a steaming mug of tea and a good story. This is that kind of book. It’s got a little bit of everything: romance, suspense and mystery, lots of humor and excellent characters. Much of the storyline also involves a luxury yacht complete with the finest dining and closets filled with gorgeous clothes and shoes, which wa ...more

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Jan 24, 2016 Janice Pym rated it it was amazing

Having read several of this author's book s already I was looking forward to reading this new book. I was not disappointed. This book is one big adventure, making it an exciting read although there is much poignancy in it.
I particularly liked the character of Beth , a hard-working auxiliary nurse, exhausted by life and all the challenges it presents to her.
Aleksandr and Beth embark on a steamy romance providing much interest.
Although there are many serious aspects to this, with intriguing twist ...more

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Mar 03, 2016 Mary Cook rated it it was amazing

Really gripping read, didn't want to put it down from the moment I started reading. The evolving relationship between the three main characters was funny, heart-warming and unexpected. Definitely recommend!

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Dec 31, 2016 Teresa Scala rated it it was amazing

A cute story on an old premise, the body double. I enjoyed this so much and am looking forward to more books from Alison Brodie.

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May 10, 2016 Stephanie Mae rated it liked it

WOW!!! There is so much going on in this book, you really have to wrap your head around all the characters involved, take the time to read so you don't miss a single thing. I do like that we get all the main characters POV's, even the villain, which when you put all together the story flows through. There is no way I am giving the plot away you have to read the story, especially with all the events that unfold. This was an ok book for me. But it might be a great book for you!!! Reviewed for Head ...more

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Jan 28, 2016 Jill rated it it was amazing

This was a great read. I highly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to other romance readers.

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Mar 07, 2016 Jenna McDonald rated it it was amazing

A thrilling ride!

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Jan 29, 2016 E J Hebbard rated it it was amazing

Gripping read

Drama, humour, excitement glamour and plenty of twists all rolled into one highly enjoyable story of two women with two very different lives

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Mar 15, 2016 Carol Decker rated it really liked it

What a great read! Glamour, romance, mistaken identity and humor that made me smile and laugh out loud. I highly recommend THE DOUBLE, and am looking forward to reading Alison Brodie's other books!

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Feb 27, 2016 Trisha Reads rated it it was amazing

Don't read this book unless you're prepared to put your life on hold. Brilliant!

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About Alison Brodie

Alison Brodie

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7 book bloggers have chosen ZENKA in their *Best Reads of 2017* -Being Anne, Ali the Dragon Slayer, Dash Fan Reviews, Book Dragon Girl, Wall-to-Wall Books, Lauren Sapala, A Reader's Review.

THE DOUBLE: “Proof of her genius in writing fiction” -San Francisco Book Review.

BRAKE FAILURE: “Masterpiece of humor”–Midwest Book Review