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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fast-paced mystery thriller. It was a really easy, fun read that I got through in one sitting. It revolves around Sam, who has hit rock-bottom, and her ex-best-friend, Erin, who offers her help. The author did a great job at establishing an eery, tense atmosphere - I knew something was off but couldn't pin point exactly what. I would have liked some more plot development - I think some of the characters and plot points were kind of flat. I also thought the end was too many plot twists all at once, giving it an almost comical quality. But overall it was a quick & enjoyable read!
Release: June 20, 2025
Author: JE Rowney
Publisher: Booksgosocial
Rating: 3.75 ★
When Samantha’s life crumbles, an unexpected message from a long-lost friend, Erin Blake, seems like the perfect escape. Soon, she finds herself whisked away to a stunning tropical paradise—where luxury, relaxation, and reinvention feel just within reach. But behind the sun-soaked days and picture-perfect setting, something darker is lurking.
As Samantha settles into this new life, cracks begin to show. The glamorous surface hides old secrets, manipulations, and truths she’s not ready to face. What begins as a dream escape quickly turns into a psychological maze, forcing her to question whether reconnecting with Erin was a lucky break—or the worst mistake of her life.
Wish You Were Her is a smart, twisty thriller that plays with the line between friendship and danger, illusion and truth. Perfect for readers who love psychological suspense with complex characters, moral ambiguity, and mind games that stick with you long after the final page.
Wish You Were Her is a twisty, sun-drenched psychological thriller that starts with the promise of paradise but quickly unravels into something far darker. The story follows Samantha, a woman at rock bottom, who sees a lifeline in the form of a message from an old friend. What begins as a dream escape soon becomes a tangled web of secrets, shifting identities, and blurred loyalties.
The setting—Aruba—is lush and escapist, yet there’s an underlying tension that never quite lets you settle. J.E. Rowney does a fantastic job building suspense, especially in how she plays with the reader’s trust. You never really know who to believe, and just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the book throws another curveball your way. Not all the twists were jaw-dropping, but the sense of constant unease kept me turning pages.
One of the strongest elements of this book is its exploration of gray morality. No character is purely good or evil, and the decisions they make—often rooted in desperation, jealousy, or the need to feel seen—give the story emotional weight. I especially related to Samantha’s sense of being left behind while others seem to move forward in life. That insecurity, paired with the allure of reinvention, made her a compelling character to follow.
This isn’t just a beach read—it’s a smart, layered thriller that asks how far someone might go to rewrite their story. If you enjoy suspense with messy, complicated characters and a setting that masks danger with beauty, this one is worth picking up. It’ll definitely leave you thinking long after the final page.
Favorite Quote:
"grief changes shape, but it never really goes away"
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/171995418