April 1, 2017
A woman assumes her twin's identity and goes on a murderous rampage in this debut novel.Alvina Knightly is broke, friendless, and unhappy. Her identical twin sister, however, has it all: a gorgeous husband, an adorable baby boy, and a beautiful villa in Sicily. When Beth invites her to visit on the same day that Alvina is fired and kicked out of her apartment, Alvina has almost no choice but to go. Soon she's in Sicily, inwardly seething that Beth is living a glamorous life while hers is depressing. Alvina quickly discovers that Beth didn't invite her just so they could catch up; she wants Alvina to switch places with her for a few hours, but she won't explain why. Alvina goes along with the plan, but when Beth comes home that night they get into an argument. Beth ends up hitting her head and falling into the pool, where Alvina lets her drown. Finally, Alvina has what she's always wanted: a chance to live Beth's life. But soon, people begin to catch on that Alvina isn't really her twin. Desperate to keep the life she thinks she deserves, Alvina kills anyone who threatens to reveal her identity. There's something to be said for unlikable heroines, but Alvina is so unlikable that she's nearly unreadable. Esposito's tone is tricky to pin down: is Alvina's gory rampage supposed to be funny, horrific, or both? Some may find a thrill in reading about a woman who truly does whatever she wants with no regard for others, but Alvina's callous thoughts and constant complaints about her twin sister are likely to put off most readers. A bloody, gruesome slog.
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May 15, 2017
When plans for identical twins Beth and Alvie to swap places for one night go fatally awry, Alvie seizes the chance to assume her perfect sister's life. Using Sicily as a backdrop with its gorgeous architecture, villas, and sexy men, Esposito pens an unforgettable summer debut headed by a no-holds-barred protagonist.
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Starred review from May 15, 2017
Alvina Knightly has lost her job and her apartment in London on the same day. Her identical twin sister, Beth, has been begging her to visit her in Sicily, so with nothing holding her back, Alvie goes. Armed with her dildowhich almost gets confiscated at airport securityAlvie boards the plane, arrives, and is picked up by Beth's hot husband. It turns out that Beth has an ulterior motive, wanting to swap places with Alvie for one night. However, the evening ends with Beth dead in a pool, leaving everyone under the impression that Alvie is Beth. Alvie embraces her new life and all the wealth and glamour that come with itincluding Mafia connections, affairs, and more. Esposito comes on the scene at breakneck speed in this debut, combining sex, drugs, and a bloodlust that is never satisfied. Alvina is a character that readers won't soon forgetfunny, fierce, and fabulous. The sex is hot and the murders are intense, as Alvina learns that killing is what she was born to do. This is first in a projected trilogy, and readers will clamor for the next two books faster than you can pull the trigger on a gun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)