The Twin is not my normal type of book I choose but I enjoyed it - it has flashbacks to childhood and present day and explores the complicated way families can be.

Emotional and heart wrenching The Twin from Amanda Brookfield captures the deep love that binds twins along with the passive aggressive nature that often is part of being a twin.
The twins are adored by their beautiful mother from the very day of their birth: they are charmed and charming, Cath being the slightly older, Rob the gentler of the two. Since the first day of school Catherine has always protected Rob from the school bullies.
A fractured childhood with the death of their beloved mother, a remarriage of their father to a woman they knew well but who had no love for them and the birth of their stepbrother Oliver only made this protective instinct of Cath’s stronger. She is openly defiant; Rob follows in his sisters’ footsteps.
As the years pass this protective instinct rises each time life sends them a challenge until it becomes commonplace to Cath and a bit of an issue for Rob, especially once he marries.
We meet Cath going to Robs funeral, devastated, bitter, hurting, angry, and inconsolable. So begins a reckoning long overdue as her stepbrother Oliver has come to the funeral, invited but unwanted, at least by Cath.
Weeks later Cath finds she is no closer to accepting Rob’s death, allowing her grief to colour very aspect of her life, to the point where she is destroying her own relationship with Alastair, a man who loves her unconditionally but finds the burden of her grief overwhelming.
Deeply perceptive to the inner workings of family Amanda Brookfield has captured with grace the destruction than can be caused when death occurs and the ability to rebuild if only it is allowed, as Cath faces the loss of her relationship, the death of her father and the retelling by Oliver of his life as a young boy.
While The Twin is a challenging read, it draws to a careful conclusion with Cath eventually understanding that there comes a time in life when you must confront your reality and accept that all is not as it appears to be.

The Twin presents a profound examination of familial relationships, grief, and the intricate connections that unite individuals. The narrative revolves around Catherine, who is profoundly impacted by the abrupt passing of her twin brother, Rob. This bereavement leaves her feeling adrift, as Rob was her unwavering anchor throughout their lives. Their shared upbringing, initially a source of strength, transforms into a backdrop for the emotional upheaval that ensues, particularly as they confront their estranged half-brother, Oliver, during Rob’s funeral.

Brookfield adeptly illustrates the trauma that has influenced Cath’s existence, originating from a tumultuous childhood marked by their mother’s death and the emotional distance of their stepmother. The reemergence of Oliver, after years of separation, brings to light repressed memories, compelling both siblings to navigate their intertwined past. This unforeseen reunion culminates in a poignant confrontation regarding their divergent recollections of shared experiences and the sorrow they both harbor.

The novel's dual perspectives provide an in-depth exploration of the emotional terrain of grief and memory. Brookfield elucidates how two individuals can endure identical circumstances yet arrive at entirely distinct truths. This investigation into subjective memory adds layers of complexity to their interactions as they grapple with unresolved issues from their formative years.

Although the narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, it is imbued with emotional depth and psychological authenticity. The contrasts between Cath’s emotional volatility and Oliver’s composed demeanor enrich the narrative, adding dimension. While some character decisions may be challenging to empathize with, Brookfield ensures their inner lives are vividly rendered, inviting you to comprehend their motivations, even amidst disagreement.
In summary, The Twin is a captivating, character-driven narrative that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the arduous, often painful path toward healing. It serves as an insightful read for those who appreciate intricately layered family dramas, making it an excellent selection for book clubs and personal contemplation.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

Enjoyable read. Not my typical choice but I am glad I chose to read it. Delved into the relationship of twins, the trauma experienced in childhood and how it lingers.

I received a free copy of, The Twin, by Amanda Brookfield, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Twins Rob and Cath did not have a great childhood, losing their mother early in life, and getting a wicked step mother, did not help. Having a loving grandmother did help. This book was depressing, so sad.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I wish there was a warning at the beginning of "must have tissues ready" because I really felt for the characters. So much of it resonated inside me and it truly touched my heart. An incredibly written story.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Twin is a beautiful book. Difficult to read in some places as it gets right to the heart of family relationships. Not just the lovely, friendly, supportive ones but the nasty, vindictive, sad ones that cut to the quick. All families have to come to terms with and adapt to in laws and family squabbles and estrangement unless they are very lucky and Amanda Brookfield demonstrates this beautifully. The way she writes about coping and adapting to the death of a loved one really touched me. Especially when seeing that person in different relationships. Wonderfully well done. Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The Twin is a family drama told from two different points of view. It touches on love, loss, and misunderstandings that that wreak havoc in the lives of others.

I enjoyed The Twin. The story moved along at a comfortable pace and the characters were well developed, complicated and mostly likable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Brookfield and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I found this book hard going. I really enjoyed the premise of looking back at family situations through two very different perspectives.
It was mired in grief and tyranny.
Resentment and bad behaviour seemed to be the default settings.
Obviously I am not the target audience.

For me this was a stunning, poignant, sad, emotional read of self awareness and grief. When Catherine's twin brother dies she is devastated as in her mind he was her inseparable rock and life cannot possibly be the same again. Their half brother, Oliver, comes to the funeral following decades of estrangement but Catherine has no time for him and their traumatic past as their Father is considered a villain by her having remarried very quickly after the death of her mother to a woman who treated her viciously. Her memories of that time put her stepmother, father and half brother in the same category - people that have no.place in her life as she believes them all complicit in her brutal childhood. Slowly she begins to re-evaluate her own actions and impressions not just from past but also the present. Such a brilliant read the I couldn't put down as it is so seamlessly written and drew me in totally. A fabulous author!

A quick and easy read that kept me engaged right from the very start and all the way through, I finished it in one sitting. I will definitely be recommending

This was a good read about twins, the author is also a twin which was interesting to know. Cath and Rob have had a troubled life and at 48, Rob tragically died. Cath can’t get over it and her half brother Oliver turns up at Rob’s funeral, the book shares the story of their relationship too. It goes back and forth to childhood and the present day and the different characters change with each chapter. I found it interesting, it’s a story of a tangled and complex family. It was a good plot and kept you engaged. A 4 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

The Twin by Amanda Brookfield is a deeply moving exploration of grief, memory and fractured family ties. At its heart is Cath, reeling from the sudden loss of her twin brother, Rob – a bond so deep-rooted that his death leaves her untethered. Their shared childhood, once a source of strength, is also the key to the complex emotional landscape that unfolds.

Brookfield crafts an emotionally rich portrait of a family splintered by trauma. After the death of their mother, Cath and Rob were cast adrift in a household dominated by a cold, volatile stepmother and overshadowed by the birth of their half-brother, Oliver. When Oliver unexpectedly appears at Rob’s funeral after decades of silence, the past – long buried – comes crashing into the present.

What follows is a quietly powerful reckoning as Cath and Oliver confront their shared history, discovering that memory is a fragile, subjective thing. Brookfield skilfully explores the idea that two people can experience the same events yet carry away completely different truths.

The writing is warm, perceptive and unflinching. There are no easy answers, only raw honesty and the possibility of healing. The Twin is a tender, character-driven book that will resonate with readers who appreciate emotionally layered family dramas. A perfect choice for book clubs, it invites reflection on the stories we tell ourselves – and each other – to survive.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Catherine is devasted by the death of her twin brother. Her half-brother shows up at the funeral and catherine tells the story of how her half-brothers arrival led to their father's abandonment, when they were children.

I just couldn't put this down, staying up until the early hours to complete it. It was so worth it. A truly fabulous read!

𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪: The Twin by Amanda Brookfield
🗓 Pub Date: July 3, 2025 | Boldwood Books
⭐️ 4/5 | #TheTwin #NetGalley

“A splintered childhood. A family divided. An ugly past resurfaces…”

This slow-burn, emotionally nuanced novel dives deep into grief, memory, and family fractures. Told through dual POVs, The Twin follows Cath, reeling after the sudden death of her twin brother Rob, and Oliver, the half-brother she hasn't seen in 30 years. When Oliver unexpectedly shows up at Rob’s funeral, old wounds tear open—forcing both Cath and Oliver to reckon with conflicting memories and decades of buried pain.

✨ 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗗
✔️ Complex sibling dynamics
✔️ Realistic emotional responses to trauma & grief
✔️ A raw, introspective look at the ripple effects of childhood neglect and favoritism
✔️ Cath’s volatility vs. Oliver’s quiet compassion made for a rich character contrast
✔️ Deeply resonant for fans of Joanna Trollope and Cathy Kelly

While it wasn’t as twisty or fast-paced as I expected, the psychological realism and subtle emotional shifts really pulled me in. The story rewards patient readers who enjoy literary fiction that leans introspective and relational.

⚠️ 𝗧𝗪: There is a particularly difficult scene involving an animal, but it’s handled with restraint.

💬 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘: If you love character-driven, emotionally intelligent fiction that examines the messy truths of family, this is a poignant and thought-provoking pick for your summer TBR—or your next book club discussion.

🖋️ Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC! This is my honest review.

#FamilyDrama #GriefFiction #Bookstagram #SiblingsAndSecrets #AmandaBrookfield #EmotionalReads #CharacterDriven #WomensFiction #BookClubPicks #LiteraryFiction #SummerReading2025 #ARCreview

Review of ‘The Twin’ by Amanda Brookfield due to be published on 3 July 2025 by Boldwood Books.

Catherine is devastated when her twin brother dies, leaving her angry and full of grief that she didn’t get to spend as much time with him towards the end as she wanted.

She is shocked when their estranged half brother, Oliver, turns up to the funeral. Through alternate chapters, Catherine tells her story as she sees it, and how the arrival of Oliver shaped her and Rob’s life, leading to their abandonment by their father, and Oliver’s story of being bullied and disliked by his half siblings.

The story packs an emotional punch, with past and current relationships questioned, loyalty tested and fractured lives being pieced back together.

Recommended read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5–4 rounded up)

Amanda Brookfield delivers a slow-burning, emotionally layered family drama about grief, estrangement, and the fragile threads that bind a fractured family. Told through the perspectives of two half-siblings forced into uncomfortable proximity, the novel explores the way memory, loyalty, and unresolved pain shape adult relationships.

Catherine’s emotional volatility is matched by Oliver’s quiet steadiness, and the contrast between them adds depth to the narrative. While some character decisions were challenging to sympathize with, Brookfield gives each of them enough interior life to understand—even if not fully agree with—their choices. Oliver’s storyline in particular resonated with me, as he becomes a quiet force for compassion and repair.

The novel didn’t feel as gripping as I initially expected, but it’s rich in nuance and psychological realism. One emotionally difficult scene involving an animal may be tough for some readers, but thankfully it doesn’t go too far.

Overall, The Twin is a thoughtful, character-driven novel about the messiness of family ties and the long, uneven path to healing. Recommended for readers who appreciate introspective, emotionally intelligent fiction.

Thank you to the publisher Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC . This is my honest review.

This book was pretty good! I liked all the different characters and points of view. Not my typical read but i enjoyed it.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!