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Julie Chan Is Dead
In this razor-sharp, diabolical debut thriller, a young woman steps into her deceased twin’s influencer life, only to discover dark secrets hidden behind her social media façade.
Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2025
2028 people are currently reading
111125 people want to read
About the author
Liann Zhang
1 book442 followersLiann Zhang is a second-generation Chinese Canadian who splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario. After a short stint as a skincare content creator, she graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in psychology and criminology. Julie Chan Is Dead is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,446 reviews
May 23, 2025
I know that Chloe normally looks more put together, but compared to a corpse, I must look okay, right?
Huh, I don't quite know how to feel about this. Suffice to say, this is one of the more unhinged books I've read in quite some time.
Julie Chan has always been envious of her twin Chloe's life. While Julie rotted away under the care of her abusive aunt after their parents died, Chloe was adopted by a wealthy white couple and grew up amidst money and luxury. When Chloe became a famous influencer, Julie followed from afar, glimpsing into what could've been her life, if only. So when Chloe suddenly dies, Julie naturally seizes the chance to live her twin's life. But the longer Julie masquerades as Chloe, the more she starts to realize that something is amiss.
I have to admit, the part of the premise that got me to read this book was the twin switcheroo bit. It felt very Lindsay Lohan and The Parent Trap. That was such a memorable movie from my childhood, I figured if this switcheroo was half as fun, it'd be worth the read. And it was fun, but with some caveats (and a lot of cringing).
First, this story is crazy, like really unhinged, insane, heretofore unseen levels of crazy. It starts out with a pretty wacky premise and it only gets more so from there. Not only is the plotline crazy, but so is each and every one of the characters. So you've been warned. It's best to just lay back and enjoy the ride, and not worry about how it may or may not be based in reality.
Second, this is very much geared towards a certain audience, and truth be told, that's where I started to feel a disconnect with the story. You know, I'm not that hip and I'm certainly not that young, so there were a lot of references and even some lingo in here I've never heard of before. I also don't TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, or even Instagram much, and I certainly don't follow any influencers or care about their lifestyles. So I definitely felt a bit like an outsider reading this story.
Also, I floundered trying to determine the meaning behind this tale. The lack of likable characters and character growth made it hard to discern something out of the pure chaos this ended up being. And maybe there is no more meaningful message here other than that it's a good story, and I'm trying to make something out of nothing. But I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing, and I was waiting for more.
It's clear this is a satire, but for me, in order for that to work, I have to be able to relate to the characters and also understand the underlying commentary. And I just couldn't quite get there on both fronts with this one.
Still, I was impressed with this debut's ability to keep me engaged, even through its zanier moments. In the end, it was a fun/cringey way to spend a few hours, so I can't complain too much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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August 15, 2025
Well, this thriller/dark comedy is absolutely riveting—an undeniably intriguing mystery I simply couldn't put down! I can confidently say that a brilliant new thriller author has arrived with an impactful debut that explores the addiction of voyeurism and the dark side of social media—pushing people to extreme lengths, from stealing the identity of an influencer to impersonating a very dead sister, and even more than you could ever imagine—all to stay at the top.
I especially loved the first half, which focuses on Julie Chan, who was separated from her twin, Chloe, after a tragic accident left them orphaned. While Julie was adopted by her manipulative and abusive aunt, Chloe was fortunate enough to be taken in by the wealthy and influential VanHuusen couple, who provided her with the glamorous lifestyle of her dreams—luxurious living in New York, the best education, summers in the Hamptons, and elite social connections.
As Julie struggles to survive, working as a supermarket cashier with no access to the privileges Chloe enjoys, her sister basks in the spotlight as a powerful influencer with millions of followers. Even when Chloe briefly reconnects with Julie at her workplace—offering her a rundown house in need of renovations just to create content and boost her online engagement—she soon ghosts her again, leaving Julie more hurt than she expected.
Then, out of nowhere, Chloe calls Julie with a cryptic message before abruptly hanging up. Concerned, Julie rushes to her sister’s New York apartment—only to find her dead. When the police arrive and mistake Julie for Chloe, a dangerous idea takes root. Resentment, ambition, and a deep desire to escape her own circumstances push Julie to step into her sister’s shoes.
After all, she’s watched enough of Chloe’s videos to imitate her perfectly. How hard could it be to post content, keep smiling, make paid collaborations, and hang out with socialites like Bella Marie—the ultra-rich queen bee eager to take "Chloe" under her wing?
But as Julie embraces her sister’s life, she grows suspicious about Chloe’s strained relationship with her adoptive family and her connection to a journalist with whom she was about to share a scandalous story before her death. What secrets was Chloe keeping? Was her death really an accident, or did someone want her gone?
Then comes the invitation—Bella insists that Julie join her and a group of influencers for an exclusive retreat on a secluded island with no phone reception. The retreat’s attendees are eerily secretive about their past visits, and as soon as Julie steps onto Bella’s family's island, she realizes that assuming Chloe’s identity may have led her somewhere far more dangerous than she ever anticipated.
Overall:
I absolutely loved the first half of this book—the mystery surrounding Chloe was gripping and deeply immersive. The second half, set on the exotic island, took a wilder, more mind-bending turn that was slightly over the top for my taste, but I still enjoyed the dark humor woven throughout. If you’re looking for something fresh, sharp, entertaining, thought-provoking, and completely unputdownable, I highly recommend this book!
Put this on your radar—don’t wait to read it, just dive in! This is one of those hidden gems that will absolutely captivate book lovers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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I especially loved the first half, which focuses on Julie Chan, who was separated from her twin, Chloe, after a tragic accident left them orphaned. While Julie was adopted by her manipulative and abusive aunt, Chloe was fortunate enough to be taken in by the wealthy and influential VanHuusen couple, who provided her with the glamorous lifestyle of her dreams—luxurious living in New York, the best education, summers in the Hamptons, and elite social connections.
As Julie struggles to survive, working as a supermarket cashier with no access to the privileges Chloe enjoys, her sister basks in the spotlight as a powerful influencer with millions of followers. Even when Chloe briefly reconnects with Julie at her workplace—offering her a rundown house in need of renovations just to create content and boost her online engagement—she soon ghosts her again, leaving Julie more hurt than she expected.
Then, out of nowhere, Chloe calls Julie with a cryptic message before abruptly hanging up. Concerned, Julie rushes to her sister’s New York apartment—only to find her dead. When the police arrive and mistake Julie for Chloe, a dangerous idea takes root. Resentment, ambition, and a deep desire to escape her own circumstances push Julie to step into her sister’s shoes.
After all, she’s watched enough of Chloe’s videos to imitate her perfectly. How hard could it be to post content, keep smiling, make paid collaborations, and hang out with socialites like Bella Marie—the ultra-rich queen bee eager to take "Chloe" under her wing?
But as Julie embraces her sister’s life, she grows suspicious about Chloe’s strained relationship with her adoptive family and her connection to a journalist with whom she was about to share a scandalous story before her death. What secrets was Chloe keeping? Was her death really an accident, or did someone want her gone?
Then comes the invitation—Bella insists that Julie join her and a group of influencers for an exclusive retreat on a secluded island with no phone reception. The retreat’s attendees are eerily secretive about their past visits, and as soon as Julie steps onto Bella’s family's island, she realizes that assuming Chloe’s identity may have led her somewhere far more dangerous than she ever anticipated.
Overall:
I absolutely loved the first half of this book—the mystery surrounding Chloe was gripping and deeply immersive. The second half, set on the exotic island, took a wilder, more mind-bending turn that was slightly over the top for my taste, but I still enjoyed the dark humor woven throughout. If you’re looking for something fresh, sharp, entertaining, thought-provoking, and completely unputdownable, I highly recommend this book!
Put this on your radar—don’t wait to read it, just dive in! This is one of those hidden gems that will absolutely captivate book lovers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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April 6, 2025
this was a very #weird and #unhinged but #kindoffuntoread thriller! i didn't absolutely hate it!
julie chan is broke, bitter, and quite anonymous—the antithesis of her twin chloe van huusen, an affluent social media influencer who was adopted by a rich family while julie was left with her aunt. they grew apart after being separated, and julie’s resentment and envy only deepened over time—understandably so. the only time chloe bothered to talk to her out of the blue was to buy her a house to milk the internet's sympathy for profit, and even then she still had a patronizing attitude towards julie. thus, she never bothered to genuinely create a healthy relationship with her twin. so, once chloe mysteriously died of a drug overdose, julie took over her life under her name. good for her, i guess!
i started this thinking it would be strikingly similar to yellowface, and it was for the first 40%— a commentary on identity, influencers, and internet fame. once the influencer retreat started on a secluded island, everything spiraled. can't say i don't love a bit of capitalist culty horror/insanity and deranged women moment, though. i don't doubt rich people can be this diabolical in reality.
to me, this book kind of exuded scientology, bunny by mona awad (from what i've heard, i haven't read it yet but i will update this when i do), and midsommar. that ending was something!
while this is no yellowface (which i personally prefer), if you like weird books and need a quick pick-me-up with absurd yet somewhat entertaining women, then this one is not a bad option! there's lots of murder, obsession, drugs, strange rituals and mantras, and mass brainwashing, which is always intriguing and slightly addictive.
thank you to the publishers for the e-arc!
-
pre-review
what 😦 (i promise i’ll write the review tomorrow)
-
pre-read
got inspired by joni to pick the arcs back up and they're also due in 13 days so i need to lock in!!
-
tbr review
got the arc! hopefully this serves cause i loved yellowface
julie chan is broke, bitter, and quite anonymous—the antithesis of her twin chloe van huusen, an affluent social media influencer who was adopted by a rich family while julie was left with her aunt. they grew apart after being separated, and julie’s resentment and envy only deepened over time—understandably so. the only time chloe bothered to talk to her out of the blue was to buy her a house to milk the internet's sympathy for profit, and even then she still had a patronizing attitude towards julie. thus, she never bothered to genuinely create a healthy relationship with her twin. so, once chloe mysteriously died of a drug overdose, julie took over her life under her name. good for her, i guess!
i started this thinking it would be strikingly similar to yellowface, and it was for the first 40%— a commentary on identity, influencers, and internet fame. once the influencer retreat started on a secluded island, everything spiraled. can't say i don't love a bit of capitalist culty horror/insanity and deranged women moment, though. i don't doubt rich people can be this diabolical in reality.
to me, this book kind of exuded scientology, bunny by mona awad (from what i've heard, i haven't read it yet but i will update this when i do), and midsommar. that ending was something!
while this is no yellowface (which i personally prefer), if you like weird books and need a quick pick-me-up with absurd yet somewhat entertaining women, then this one is not a bad option! there's lots of murder, obsession, drugs, strange rituals and mantras, and mass brainwashing, which is always intriguing and slightly addictive.
thank you to the publishers for the e-arc!
-
pre-review
what 😦 (i promise i’ll write the review tomorrow)
-
pre-read
got inspired by joni to pick the arcs back up and they're also due in 13 days so i need to lock in!!
-
tbr review
got the arc! hopefully this serves cause i loved yellowface
May 7, 2025
This was an absolutely wild experience that took me completely by surprise. I never anticipated just how many unexpected twists and turns the story would take, and I’m still processing the shocking ending. The second part of the book was particularly outrageous, leaving me in a state of disbelief.
One of the aspects I really appreciated was the structure of the short chapters. They played a crucial role in keeping the story's momentum going, especially during the middle sections, which had moments that felt a bit slow and meandering. The brevity of the chapters made it easy to digest the narrative and kept me eager to turn the page.
The protagonist, Julie Chan, is anything but relatable—she's far from a good person and is often quite unlikable. However, that complex mix of selfishness, delusion, and chaos somehow drew me in. I found myself unexpectedly charmed by her character despite her flaws. Being inside her head was a fascinating experience; she was a whirlwind of contradictions. The side characters were no less extreme; each one brought their own brand of insanity to the story. While they, too, were often unlikable, their outrageous personalities only added to my addiction to the narrative.
Another element I appreciated was the author’s insightful examination of internet culture and the influencer phenomenon. Julie began her journey by poking fun at the influencer lifestyle, critiquing its superficiality and absurdity. However, as the story progressed, she became increasingly entangled in that very world, culminating in an unsettling transformation where she began to mirror the very people she once derided.
In conclusion, this was an exhilarating and chaotic ride from start to finish. I had a blast immersing myself in this unpredictable journey, and the rollercoaster of emotions kept me thoroughly entertained.
One of the aspects I really appreciated was the structure of the short chapters. They played a crucial role in keeping the story's momentum going, especially during the middle sections, which had moments that felt a bit slow and meandering. The brevity of the chapters made it easy to digest the narrative and kept me eager to turn the page.
The protagonist, Julie Chan, is anything but relatable—she's far from a good person and is often quite unlikable. However, that complex mix of selfishness, delusion, and chaos somehow drew me in. I found myself unexpectedly charmed by her character despite her flaws. Being inside her head was a fascinating experience; she was a whirlwind of contradictions. The side characters were no less extreme; each one brought their own brand of insanity to the story. While they, too, were often unlikable, their outrageous personalities only added to my addiction to the narrative.
Another element I appreciated was the author’s insightful examination of internet culture and the influencer phenomenon. Julie began her journey by poking fun at the influencer lifestyle, critiquing its superficiality and absurdity. However, as the story progressed, she became increasingly entangled in that very world, culminating in an unsettling transformation where she began to mirror the very people she once derided.
In conclusion, this was an exhilarating and chaotic ride from start to finish. I had a blast immersing myself in this unpredictable journey, and the rollercoaster of emotions kept me thoroughly entertained.
April 2, 2025
3.75 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Atria Books for the eARC via Netgalley! 💌
OKAY, SO—this book??? Was ABSURD. Kinda UNBELIEVABLE. Completely unhinged. AND I ATE IT UP.
☠️ A girl finds her dead influencer twin.
💰 Takes over her life.
🎭 Plays the ultimate game of pretend.
🏝️ Gets invited to a secluded influencer retreat (aka Cult Island™).
🔪 And then… CHAOS.
DO Y'ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE BOOKS ABOUT UNHINGED WOMEN???
Because let me tell you, JULIE. WAS. UNHINGED. And yet, I weirdly respected her hustle?? Like, girl saw an opportunity and RAN with it.
First half??? BANGER. I was flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Second half??? Uhhh. WHAT. THE. HELL. It was like the book chugged three Red Bulls and went on a conspiracy theory rant at 3AM.
🔥 THE GOOD 🔥
✔️ The influencer satire was chef’s kiss. So much commentary on social media, validation, and the cult-like world of rich people with no real job.
✔️ The tension was top-tier. Every scene felt like Julie was one mistake away from EXPOSURE.
✔️ The writing was SO bingeable. I barely blinked.
💀 THE UNHINGED 💀
✔️ That ISLAND. Cult vibes? Horror movie? Elite socialite death trap? ALL THREE???
✔️ Listen, I personally believe cults like this exist. Rich people are WEIRD. And if y’all don’t think certain celebs are deep in some secret societies… well, I’m just saying.
✔️ The ending??? Left me so conflicted. Did I love it? Did I hate it? Who am I?
TROPES:
✔️ Unhinged Female Lead
✔️ Fake Identity
✔️ Cult Vibes
✔️ Secluded Retreat
✔️ Bingeable Writing
✔️ Tension/Exposure
✔️ Absurd Plot
✔️ Dark Humor
🎭OVERALL:
Would I recommend it? HELL YEAH . It’s messy, it’s fun, it’s a little too real, and it will have you side-eyeing influencers forever.
Put this on your radar, besties. And when you read it, DM me because I NEED TO SCREAM ABOUT THAT ENDING WITH SOMEONE.
OKAY, SO—this book??? Was ABSURD. Kinda UNBELIEVABLE. Completely unhinged. AND I ATE IT UP.
☠️ A girl finds her dead influencer twin.
💰 Takes over her life.
🎭 Plays the ultimate game of pretend.
🏝️ Gets invited to a secluded influencer retreat (aka Cult Island™).
🔪 And then… CHAOS.
DO Y'ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE BOOKS ABOUT UNHINGED WOMEN???
Because let me tell you, JULIE. WAS. UNHINGED. And yet, I weirdly respected her hustle?? Like, girl saw an opportunity and RAN with it.
First half??? BANGER. I was flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Second half??? Uhhh. WHAT. THE. HELL. It was like the book chugged three Red Bulls and went on a conspiracy theory rant at 3AM.
🔥 THE GOOD 🔥
✔️ The influencer satire was chef’s kiss. So much commentary on social media, validation, and the cult-like world of
✔️ The tension was top-tier. Every scene felt like Julie was one mistake away from EXPOSURE.
✔️ The writing was SO bingeable. I barely blinked.
💀 THE UNHINGED 💀
✔️ That ISLAND. Cult vibes? Horror movie? Elite socialite death trap? ALL THREE???
✔️ Listen, I personally believe cults like this exist. Rich people are WEIRD. And if y’all don’t think certain celebs are deep in some secret societies… well, I’m just saying.
✔️ The ending??? Left me so conflicted. Did I love it? Did I hate it? Who am I?
TROPES:
✔️ Unhinged Female Lead
✔️ Fake Identity
✔️ Cult Vibes
✔️ Secluded Retreat
✔️ Bingeable Writing
✔️ Tension/Exposure
✔️ Absurd Plot
✔️ Dark Humor
🎭OVERALL:
Would I recommend it? HELL YEAH . It’s messy, it’s fun, it’s a little too real, and it will have you side-eyeing influencers forever.
Put this on your radar, besties. And when you read it, DM me because I NEED TO SCREAM ABOUT THAT ENDING WITH SOMEONE.
April 16, 2025
Twisted, dark, gripping, and thought provoking. Julie Chan Is Dead is an interesting book that not only looks at the quest for fame and likes, but also sibling relationships, jealousy, and acceptance. In the digital age, being an influencer equals BIG bucks if you capture the right audience and create the best content. This book also shows how fickle fans of influencers can be and how you are only as good as your last post/podcast/photo/endorsement, etc.
Julie Chan works in a supermarket and in the shadow of her twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, who is a popular social media influencer. Julie was also on her sister's stream one time when Chloe gifted her a house for likes. When Julie goes to her Chloe's luxury apartment, she finds her twin sister dead! Julie decides to take her sister's place and assumes Chloe's identity and luxurious lifestyle! How hard can it be? They are twins after all! When Julie is invited and shows up for a weeklong island retreat with a group of top influencers, she will begin to see that all that glitters is not gold!
This was a dark commentary(ish) book that takes being a social media influencer to a whole new level. As I mentioned this book tackles many things such as relationships, the need for acceptance, belonging, popularity, jealousy, secrets and backstabbing. I found this book to be an enjoyable fast read which kept me engaged and invested in the plot. This book took a turn that I did not see coming but I rode with it and enjoyed the ride.
This was a well thought out and captivating debut novel. I enjoyed the twists, turns and reveals in this book.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Julie Chan works in a supermarket and in the shadow of her twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, who is a popular social media influencer. Julie was also on her sister's stream one time when Chloe gifted her a house for likes. When Julie goes to her Chloe's luxury apartment, she finds her twin sister dead! Julie decides to take her sister's place and assumes Chloe's identity and luxurious lifestyle! How hard can it be? They are twins after all! When Julie is invited and shows up for a weeklong island retreat with a group of top influencers, she will begin to see that all that glitters is not gold!
This was a dark commentary(ish) book that takes being a social media influencer to a whole new level. As I mentioned this book tackles many things such as relationships, the need for acceptance, belonging, popularity, jealousy, secrets and backstabbing. I found this book to be an enjoyable fast read which kept me engaged and invested in the plot. This book took a turn that I did not see coming but I rode with it and enjoyed the ride.
This was a well thought out and captivating debut novel. I enjoyed the twists, turns and reveals in this book.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
April 21, 2025
4 Stars
Note to self: never trust a cute cover again.
I never read book tags, so based on the cover, I totally expected a fluffy mystery chick-lit. lol.
Instead, the author completely blindsided me with the direction this story took. From the middle to the end, it was one “Wait, what?!” moment after another. And that one particular scene? If you’ve read it, you know. I legit gagged and felt my skin crawl. (Not a complaint, though. Totally worth it.)
I loved every minute of this ride. Julie, our protagonist-slash-villain(?), was such a complex, sassy character. She actually made me snort-laugh more than once.
All in all, a super enjoyable and unputdownable read.
Note: Thank you, Atria Books, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Note to self: never trust a cute cover again.
I never read book tags, so based on the cover, I totally expected a fluffy mystery chick-lit. lol.
Instead, the author completely blindsided me with the direction this story took. From the middle to the end, it was one “Wait, what?!” moment after another. And that one particular scene? If you’ve read it, you know. I legit gagged and felt my skin crawl. (Not a complaint, though. Totally worth it.)
I loved every minute of this ride. Julie, our protagonist-slash-villain(?), was such a complex, sassy character. She actually made me snort-laugh more than once.
All in all, a super enjoyable and unputdownable read.
Note: Thank you, Atria Books, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 9, 2025
I still don’t know quite what to make of Julie Chan Is Dead despite how I ripped through the pages. A riveting tale of the influencer lifestyle, it was laced with biting social commentary and delicious dark humor. From the root-for-able protagonist to the twisted, twisted plot, there was no end to the positives that I found within this debut. After all, who could pass up a book that took aim at toxic friendships, dysfunctional family dynamics, and our obsession with influencer culture? Throw in the wealthy people behaving badly and the eye-opening, cult-like behavior, and I swore I would have fallen for this psychological thriller before the last page despite it’s somewhat open-ended conclusion.
Sadly, however, as much as I loved the slow burn first half, the thoroughly unhinged follow-up put me off just a bit. While I know that the plot was mostly satirical in nature, the over-the-top events and crazy-a** characters went above and beyond what I could absorb. Quite frankly, the two halves felt as if they were from two different novels. And as much as I love a stark-raving-mad premise, this one just managed to give me the shivers. I do have to say, though, that Zhang nailed the claustrophobic setting and the pure absurdity of it all. Altogether, it worked but it didn’t, which is why I was thoroughly torn by the time I put it down.
All said and done, however, this disturbing look at social media influencers was both laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking in the extreme. An odd mix, which might’ve been part of why I had so much trouble nailing it down. When you get right down to it, though, this rollercoaster ride of craziness and mayhem was nevertheless unputdownable and satisfying. Most of this was due to Julie and her sassy behavior. Somewhere between anti-hero and villain, she was the saving grace in this hard-to-pin-down novel. So if you like “WTF?!” twists, relevant topics, and unlikeable characters, grab this book as soon as you can. I mean, I finished it in one sitting, which just might say it all. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
Thank you to Liann Zhang and Atria Books got my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 29, 2025
Content warning: blackmail, animal death, miscarriage, forced captivity, murder, violence, arson
Sadly, however, as much as I loved the slow burn first half, the thoroughly unhinged follow-up put me off just a bit. While I know that the plot was mostly satirical in nature, the over-the-top events and crazy-a** characters went above and beyond what I could absorb. Quite frankly, the two halves felt as if they were from two different novels. And as much as I love a stark-raving-mad premise, this one just managed to give me the shivers. I do have to say, though, that Zhang nailed the claustrophobic setting and the pure absurdity of it all. Altogether, it worked but it didn’t, which is why I was thoroughly torn by the time I put it down.
All said and done, however, this disturbing look at social media influencers was both laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking in the extreme. An odd mix, which might’ve been part of why I had so much trouble nailing it down. When you get right down to it, though, this rollercoaster ride of craziness and mayhem was nevertheless unputdownable and satisfying. Most of this was due to Julie and her sassy behavior. Somewhere between anti-hero and villain, she was the saving grace in this hard-to-pin-down novel. So if you like “WTF?!” twists, relevant topics, and unlikeable characters, grab this book as soon as you can. I mean, I finished it in one sitting, which just might say it all. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
Thank you to Liann Zhang and Atria Books got my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 29, 2025
Content warning: blackmail, animal death, miscarriage, forced captivity, murder, violence, arson
May 21, 2025
what the bloody heck is going on!!!!!!!! I’m gasping for breath hunni!!!! my head is spinning.
I was super excited about this read. I didn’t know much about it. But the way it was explained to me hooked me.
It was like “two estranged twins, one is a rich influencer, one is poor. the rich one dies, the poor discovers the body and decides to switch places and live the rich sisters life”. okay… sold!!!
however, I did NOT expect the absolute FUCKERY of this book 🤣🤣🤣🤣
first 100 pages: fun. the concept is coming together. I’m into it.
next 100 pages: okay I’m a little confused as to how we’re going to stretch this concept out and I’m not sure where this is going
last 100 pages: I could have predicted 1000 ways this book would end and NONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECT.
You want my review? This is my review: “HAHAHAHAHAHA WTAFFFFFFFF”
Seriously like I just don’t know what to say. I have whiplash from the second half of this book. It’s actually like they were two different books slapped together. Also this really didn’t give me thriller vibes it was more a hilarious stupid gossip girl vibe that was just so farfetched and stupid that it wasn’t thrilling. A lot of jaw dropping moments in the last 100 pages! I was EATING IT UP.
4 stars cause although this was a fun journey, it’s not lifechanging and it’s not something I’ll think about forever (but maybe for the next few weeks at least).
DEFINITELY recommend!
April 2, 2025
Okay folks…. This one is CRAZY BONKERS! Bonkers in a good way. But just know, this story is not what you think.
Julie Chan has a deadbeat job. She has no friends and really no life. She was separated from her twin sister, Chloe, when they were little after a terrible car accident that killed their parents. Only Chloe lives a more glamorous lifestyle. Chloe is a mega famous influencer.
One day Chloe calls Julie only she can barely speak and the line goes dead. Julie rushes to New York to make sure her twin is okay…. However, when she arrives, Chloe is found dead on the floor.
What does Julie do? The sensible thing, take over Chloe’s life. Soon, Julie will find out just how glamorous the influencer life really is. Or is it???
Get ready, all bets are off. This story gets wild as hell and I loved every bit of it!!!!
Publication date - 4/29/25
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Julie Chan has a deadbeat job. She has no friends and really no life. She was separated from her twin sister, Chloe, when they were little after a terrible car accident that killed their parents. Only Chloe lives a more glamorous lifestyle. Chloe is a mega famous influencer.
One day Chloe calls Julie only she can barely speak and the line goes dead. Julie rushes to New York to make sure her twin is okay…. However, when she arrives, Chloe is found dead on the floor.
What does Julie do? The sensible thing, take over Chloe’s life. Soon, Julie will find out just how glamorous the influencer life really is. Or is it???
Get ready, all bets are off. This story gets wild as hell and I loved every bit of it!!!!
Publication date - 4/29/25
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read
May 2, 2025Nope can’t do it. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the writing or story or anything, I can just tell that I’ll get zero enjoyment from this. It’s so unrelatable and the MC is so unsympathetic that I feel icked out just from the little bit that I read.
July 9, 2025
To all of my readers who gave this book five/four stars: you're a little insane (derogatory) just like me and that's totally hot and very sexy of you! - sincerely the author who is absolutely and completely fine in the head xoxo
September 5, 2025
☆☆☆☆☆
Bumping this up to 5 stars since I cannot stop thinking about it.
Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang is a really solid debut that blends social media commentary with a twisted, gripping thriller. I was immediately drawn into the story, which unpacks the darker sides of online culture and the pressures of constantly being "on." The pacing is solid, and the first half kept me hooked, though it's really the second half where the book takes a wild turn, diving into surreal, almost absurd territory—reminding me a lot of Mona Awad's Bunny. If you're a fan of that novel’s dark, offbeat energy, you’ll definitely find something to love here.
Zhang’s writing is sharp and clever, making insightful observations about the ways social media and our online personas shape our identities. The tension builds nicely throughout, and while the story is both entertaining and thrilling, it also leaves you thinking long after you've turned the last page. The twists are unexpected, and the final scenes in particular will leave you questioning everything.
For a debut, this book is impressive. It’s clear that Liann Zhang has a strong, distinct voice, and I can’t wait to see how she develops her craft in future works. This is a thrilling, thought-provoking read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with a social media twist.
Bumping this up to 5 stars since I cannot stop thinking about it.
Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang is a really solid debut that blends social media commentary with a twisted, gripping thriller. I was immediately drawn into the story, which unpacks the darker sides of online culture and the pressures of constantly being "on." The pacing is solid, and the first half kept me hooked, though it's really the second half where the book takes a wild turn, diving into surreal, almost absurd territory—reminding me a lot of Mona Awad's Bunny. If you're a fan of that novel’s dark, offbeat energy, you’ll definitely find something to love here.
Zhang’s writing is sharp and clever, making insightful observations about the ways social media and our online personas shape our identities. The tension builds nicely throughout, and while the story is both entertaining and thrilling, it also leaves you thinking long after you've turned the last page. The twists are unexpected, and the final scenes in particular will leave you questioning everything.
For a debut, this book is impressive. It’s clear that Liann Zhang has a strong, distinct voice, and I can’t wait to see how she develops her craft in future works. This is a thrilling, thought-provoking read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with a social media twist.
March 24, 2025
When Julie Chan and her twin sister Chloe were just 4 years old their parents were killed in a car accident. Chloe was adopted right away to a wealthy family that only wanted one child leaving Julie to live with her bitter and miserable aunt.
Over the years Julie has kept track of her sister through social media. Chloe has become a wellness influencer so her days and nights are always recorded for the public to view.
Then one day, out of the blue, Chloe reaches out to Julie. She's out of breath and she keeps saying she's sorry. When the call disconnects and Julie can't get ahold of her again she decides to head to NYC to do a wellness check only to discover her sister's lifeless body.
Then Julie has an idea. What if she becomes Chloe?
It doesn't take Julie long before she realizes her sisters enviable life was anything but enviable.
If this book has taught me anything it's that wellness influencers are insufferable and full of shit. I was enjoying this for the first 50% but then Zhang decided to flip the script and this went completely off the rails. So very strange. There isn't much I can say without giving away the goods but if I could compare this book to another one it would be Bunny. IYKYK.
Enjoyed the beginning but the ending ruined it all. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.
Over the years Julie has kept track of her sister through social media. Chloe has become a wellness influencer so her days and nights are always recorded for the public to view.
Then one day, out of the blue, Chloe reaches out to Julie. She's out of breath and she keeps saying she's sorry. When the call disconnects and Julie can't get ahold of her again she decides to head to NYC to do a wellness check only to discover her sister's lifeless body.
Then Julie has an idea. What if she becomes Chloe?
It doesn't take Julie long before she realizes her sisters enviable life was anything but enviable.
If this book has taught me anything it's that wellness influencers are insufferable and full of shit. I was enjoying this for the first 50% but then Zhang decided to flip the script and this went completely off the rails. So very strange. There isn't much I can say without giving away the goods but if I could compare this book to another one it would be Bunny. IYKYK.
Enjoyed the beginning but the ending ruined it all. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.
May 8, 2025
what a debut!!! i devoured this—it pulled me in right away and was such a quick, enjoyable read.
🎧 highly recommend the audiobook! the narrator was great and it was super easy to follow.
this one is getting early buzz and it’s definitely worth the hype! it has a ton of interesting pieces—it was giving YELLOWFACE meets SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE?! but yet very unique and like so many books / none at all? i was digging it!
the premise is so interesting: a girl’s identical twin (who is a famous influencer) is found dead. no one knows she’s dead yet. can she take over her famous sister’s glamourous life and leave her own behind?
i will say the first half the book felt v different than the second half which isn’t necessarily bad but i was not expecting it to go there. it almost turned kind of… cultish? the ending left me with some question marks, but overall this was just really fun.
also if you like books that poke fun at influencer culture, you will definitely like this book 🤣 i’d actually love to see a famous influencer read this and review it lol!
i have a feeling this one will get some 🎬 news too. it’s so timely to today’s culture and eerily realistic!
if you’re in a reading slump or looking for a fun, unique read to grab you right away, this will do the trick!
thanks to Atria for the gifted copy and Libro FM for the ALC :)
🎧 highly recommend the audiobook! the narrator was great and it was super easy to follow.
this one is getting early buzz and it’s definitely worth the hype! it has a ton of interesting pieces—it was giving YELLOWFACE meets SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE?! but yet very unique and like so many books / none at all? i was digging it!
the premise is so interesting: a girl’s identical twin (who is a famous influencer) is found dead. no one knows she’s dead yet. can she take over her famous sister’s glamourous life and leave her own behind?
i will say the first half the book felt v different than the second half which isn’t necessarily bad but i was not expecting it to go there. it almost turned kind of… cultish? the ending left me with some question marks, but overall this was just really fun.
also if you like books that poke fun at influencer culture, you will definitely like this book 🤣 i’d actually love to see a famous influencer read this and review it lol!
i have a feeling this one will get some 🎬 news too. it’s so timely to today’s culture and eerily realistic!
if you’re in a reading slump or looking for a fun, unique read to grab you right away, this will do the trick!
thanks to Atria for the gifted copy and Libro FM for the ALC :)
May 14, 2025
I’ve realized I never need to read another book about influencers ever again.
August 26, 2025
7 HUMAN SOULS FOR A FEW MILLION FOLLOWERS AND A BOOST IN VIEWS
Oh my God what did I just read???? This was phenomenal and yes it started off slow but my lord DID IT PICK UP!!!! I NEED MORE WTF😍🤌🏻 for readers who enjoyed Bunny by Mona Awad please give this book a try! I absolutely loved the cult vibe madness in this I didn't want it to end! Although in the beginning the FMC did come across as insufferable due to her unsympathetic behaviour and more or less nonexistent moral compass I loved the concept of impersonating her twin so I HAD to keep going and boy am I glad I did!
Plot Summary
Julie Chan's life is a far cry from glamorous. Working a dead-end job and constantly overshadowed by her estranged identical twin, Chloe—a successful influencer adopted into wealth—Julie's existence feels stagnant. When she discovers Chloe dead in her luxurious apartment, Julie seizes the opportunity to assume her sister's identity. Immersed in a world of curated perfection, brand deals, and the exclusive Belladonna influencer circle, Julie navigates the challenges of maintaining the façade. However, as she delves deeper, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly flawless world.
Oh my God what did I just read???? This was phenomenal and yes it started off slow but my lord DID IT PICK UP!!!! I NEED MORE WTF😍🤌🏻 for readers who enjoyed Bunny by Mona Awad please give this book a try! I absolutely loved the cult vibe madness in this I didn't want it to end! Although in the beginning the FMC did come across as insufferable due to her unsympathetic behaviour and more or less nonexistent moral compass I loved the concept of impersonating her twin so I HAD to keep going and boy am I glad I did!
Plot Summary
Julie Chan's life is a far cry from glamorous. Working a dead-end job and constantly overshadowed by her estranged identical twin, Chloe—a successful influencer adopted into wealth—Julie's existence feels stagnant. When she discovers Chloe dead in her luxurious apartment, Julie seizes the opportunity to assume her sister's identity. Immersed in a world of curated perfection, brand deals, and the exclusive Belladonna influencer circle, Julie navigates the challenges of maintaining the façade. However, as she delves deeper, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly flawless world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Pubslihing (UK & ANZ) for the arc!
🌟✨️/5
Me: No one can test the limits of my suspension of disbelief like Freida McFadden
Liann Zhang: Hold my beer
Julie Chan Is Dead was a wild, wild ride but not in a good way. I was looking forward to reading this take on racism, influencer culture and the toxic relationships that come with it and of course, my favorite trope: rich people doing bad things (and hopefully suffering towards the end). Unfortunately, this turned out to be a huge mess.
The first half mostly delivered on what it promised. Yes, Julie was insufferable, but I suppose that's the point of the book. Some parts almost gave me Yellowface vibes. It felt rooted in real life, I could believe that influencers could do these things. That said, I did not expect it to be almost slow paced. Personally, it didn't feel like unputdownable, addictive, fast paced thriller it was touted as.
The second half...oh, the second half. It felt like it was written by a completely different person and couldn't decide of it was a normal thriller or horror. The author suddenly decided to pull of Bunny and the result was ridiculous. I can't say exactly what made me intensely loathe this book because of spoilery reasons but feel free to DM me if you've read this and would like to talk about it. Let's just say that it left a bad taste in my mouth.
You my be thinking that I just don't get it, that the absurdity was intentional on the author's part and it's a critique of influencer culture. Look, I get it...I just didn't like the way it was executed, especially because I didn't know that THIS was what I was getting into. And of course, getting the point a book is trying to make and disliking said book are not mutually exclusive. I didn't completely hate the ending, though.
I disliked both halves of the book for different reasons. I understand why it's getting glowing reviews and I'm sure it'll find its audience but it's just not me.
🌟✨️/5
Me: No one can test the limits of my suspension of disbelief like Freida McFadden
Liann Zhang: Hold my beer
Julie Chan Is Dead was a wild, wild ride but not in a good way. I was looking forward to reading this take on racism, influencer culture and the toxic relationships that come with it and of course, my favorite trope: rich people doing bad things (and hopefully suffering towards the end). Unfortunately, this turned out to be a huge mess.
The first half mostly delivered on what it promised. Yes, Julie was insufferable, but I suppose that's the point of the book. Some parts almost gave me Yellowface vibes. It felt rooted in real life, I could believe that influencers could do these things. That said, I did not expect it to be almost slow paced. Personally, it didn't feel like unputdownable, addictive, fast paced thriller it was touted as.
The second half...oh, the second half. It felt like it was written by a completely different person and couldn't decide of it was a normal thriller or horror. The author suddenly decided to pull of Bunny and the result was ridiculous. I can't say exactly what made me intensely loathe this book because of spoilery reasons but feel free to DM me if you've read this and would like to talk about it. Let's just say that it left a bad taste in my mouth.
You my be thinking that I just don't get it, that the absurdity was intentional on the author's part and it's a critique of influencer culture. Look, I get it...I just didn't like the way it was executed, especially because I didn't know that THIS was what I was getting into. And of course, getting the point a book is trying to make and disliking said book are not mutually exclusive. I didn't completely hate the ending, though.
I disliked both halves of the book for different reasons. I understand why it's getting glowing reviews and I'm sure it'll find its audience but it's just not me.
August 21, 2025
Julie Chan Is Dead is a fabulous, fun, and fast-paced fiction novel. I devoured this addictive thriller and consistently found myself staying up late at night while my husband slept so I could read more.
Julie Chan lives in a pretty dismal situation: she's an orphan, she's broke, her aunt has mistreated and stolen from her, and she's been working a terrible job for 10 years. When she gets a call from her famous influencer twin sister, that is rather ominous, she quells her curiosity and desperation for a connection by going to see her. When she arrives she finds her sister dead of an apparent overdose. What's a girl to do? Steal her sister's identity of course and find out what it's like to live as a lavish, opulent influencer. While living in luxury Julie begins to suspect that there's something more to Chloe's life than the glitz and glamour.
Julie Chan is an empathetic character that many of those of us who struggle to make a living can sympathize with. She is easy to root for and funny. I loved being in her head.
This book is not only a suspenseful thriller but a deeper commentary on social media influencers and the privileged. Julie Chan is Dead was a funny and enthralling nail-biter that will be sure to be a memorable read.
Julie Chan lives in a pretty dismal situation: she's an orphan, she's broke, her aunt has mistreated and stolen from her, and she's been working a terrible job for 10 years. When she gets a call from her famous influencer twin sister, that is rather ominous, she quells her curiosity and desperation for a connection by going to see her. When she arrives she finds her sister dead of an apparent overdose. What's a girl to do? Steal her sister's identity of course and find out what it's like to live as a lavish, opulent influencer. While living in luxury Julie begins to suspect that there's something more to Chloe's life than the glitz and glamour.
Julie Chan is an empathetic character that many of those of us who struggle to make a living can sympathize with. She is easy to root for and funny. I loved being in her head.
This book is not only a suspenseful thriller but a deeper commentary on social media influencers and the privileged. Julie Chan is Dead was a funny and enthralling nail-biter that will be sure to be a memorable read.
June 17, 2025
This is a fast paced, very dark thriller that took me on a journey of Julie Chan acting as her sister! Seeing a lot of reviews on how great this book is, I just had to read it! I was also intrigued by the plot of the novel. Julie Chan is an extremely unhinged woman! Her taking her twin sister’s place is wild! It really ended up backfiring on her towards the end. This book comes with a diverse cast of characters, is easy to read and explores the darkness of fame. The private island retreats and the other women in this story are all very entertaining. From being a cashier to a wealthy social media influencer, Julie Chan experiences it all! I felt some parts of the story could have been shortened, but overall it was a fun story! I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars!
July 23, 2025
I think this could work really well as a TV show.
April 16, 2025
WOW. Just—WOW. I’ve never read anything like this before! At first, I wasn’t sure—I felt a bit detached, surrounded by all these dull, Instagram-perfect, cookie-cutter characters. But if you’ve spent a questionable amount of time online (like me), you’ll recognize the vibes: think Dramageddon-level chaos, the Stauffer adoption controversy, and that weird magnetic pull of crime podcasts you can’t stop listening to. This book has all of that energy... and then goes completely nuclear.
This is the definition of a slow burn that rewards your patience. And when it finally takes off? OH. MY. GOD. At 72%, I was in full meltdown mode — gasping, shrieking, gagging (yes, gagging — and when you get there, you’ll know). From that moment on, I could not put it down.
This book scorched me in the best way possible. If you love twisty, pitch-black stories that sneak up on you and then explode, this is it. Stick with it — the payoff is absolutely worth every second. 🔥✨
This is the definition of a slow burn that rewards your patience. And when it finally takes off? OH. MY. GOD. At 72%, I was in full meltdown mode — gasping, shrieking, gagging (yes, gagging — and when you get there, you’ll know). From that moment on, I could not put it down.
This book scorched me in the best way possible. If you love twisty, pitch-black stories that sneak up on you and then explode, this is it. Stick with it — the payoff is absolutely worth every second. 🔥✨
March 23, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Julie Chan is a supermarket cashier, while her identical twin sister, Chloe, is a social media influencer and sensation. The two sisters were separated at a young age following the death of their parents. So the sisters were never close. One video of Chloe’s reunion with her sister goes viral, and Julie Chan comes into the picture and her sister’s life. But she discovers that all the kindness that her sister shows her is just a way to get more views!
One day Julie Chan finds her sister dead at her place, so the idea comes to her to become Chloe and claim that Julie Chan is dead instead. The glamorous lifestyle that Chloe lived encourages Julie to do that, unaware of the dark secrets that her sister had.
I’m a big fan of stories that involve twins, so this checked one big box for me. For a debut novel, the book was very entertaining. It is nicely written, and the story has constant tension and twists. The more secrets came out, the more the protagonist realized that her decision was a very foolish one.
The story concentrates on themes like distant sibling relationships, manipulation, the influencer culture, and one’s identity. The pace is fast and steady. However, there are no likable characters in this book. Both the twins were not decent human beings. They both were selfish and manipulative.
If you read this book and enjoy it, try to watch Bette Davis’ Dead Ringer (1963). I love that movie, and it has a very similar theme to this book, where the poor sister kills her rich twin sister and impersonates her. Like this book, that film has lots of tension and stressful events.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Julie Chan is a supermarket cashier, while her identical twin sister, Chloe, is a social media influencer and sensation. The two sisters were separated at a young age following the death of their parents. So the sisters were never close. One video of Chloe’s reunion with her sister goes viral, and Julie Chan comes into the picture and her sister’s life. But she discovers that all the kindness that her sister shows her is just a way to get more views!
One day Julie Chan finds her sister dead at her place, so the idea comes to her to become Chloe and claim that Julie Chan is dead instead. The glamorous lifestyle that Chloe lived encourages Julie to do that, unaware of the dark secrets that her sister had.
I’m a big fan of stories that involve twins, so this checked one big box for me. For a debut novel, the book was very entertaining. It is nicely written, and the story has constant tension and twists. The more secrets came out, the more the protagonist realized that her decision was a very foolish one.
The story concentrates on themes like distant sibling relationships, manipulation, the influencer culture, and one’s identity. The pace is fast and steady. However, there are no likable characters in this book. Both the twins were not decent human beings. They both were selfish and manipulative.
If you read this book and enjoy it, try to watch Bette Davis’ Dead Ringer (1963). I love that movie, and it has a very similar theme to this book, where the poor sister kills her rich twin sister and impersonates her. Like this book, that film has lots of tension and stressful events.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.
May 5, 2025
Crazy! Yet so fun. I HAD to see how this ended!! It gave the laughs, the wide eyes, the head shakes, the oh NOs, the oh 🫢, and had me screaming at characters like they could hear me (because GIRRRLL)!! The audio was great and pulls you in from the start. A time was had!! ✨
August 21, 2025
I must admit, I feel a little bit blindsided by this one. What started out as an OK thriller turned into a complete hot mess of chaos. The best non-spoiler explanation I can give is social influencers running amuck.
Julie Chan lives paycheck to paycheck as a supermarket cashier while her twin who was adopted from a wealthy family is living large being a well paid social media influencer. After receiving a weird phone call Julie checks on her twin, Chloe, only to find her dead in her apartment. Does Julie cry? Does Julie call the police? Or does Julie decide that she’s going to swap identities with Chloe? She chooses option three and Julie Chan is now dead. Of course, being a social influencer is not as easy as it’s cut out to be, and trying to seamlessly fall into Chloe’s life proves to be difficult. At this point I’m curious as to how it will all turn out as this is appearing to be a decent little thriller. Until it wasn’t. I couldn’t tell if this was trying to be a satire or what but ultimately it just did not work for me.
The first 50% gets three stars the second half gets one star.
Julie Chan lives paycheck to paycheck as a supermarket cashier while her twin who was adopted from a wealthy family is living large being a well paid social media influencer. After receiving a weird phone call Julie checks on her twin, Chloe, only to find her dead in her apartment. Does Julie cry? Does Julie call the police? Or does Julie decide that she’s going to swap identities with Chloe? She chooses option three and Julie Chan is now dead. Of course, being a social influencer is not as easy as it’s cut out to be, and trying to seamlessly fall into Chloe’s life proves to be difficult. At this point I’m curious as to how it will all turn out as this is appearing to be a decent little thriller. Until it wasn’t. I couldn’t tell if this was trying to be a satire or what but ultimately it just did not work for me.
The first 50% gets three stars the second half gets one star.
August 29, 2025
I was hesitant to pick this up because I'm typically not into social media being a huge part of books, but this took such a sick turn it made me feel genuinely nauseated at one point because of a scene with one of my biggest fears. I especially loved the commentary on how inherently unequal social media is, and how that affects BIPOC creators. This was incredibly done, and I can't wait to see what this author does next. It was easy to see the Yellowface comp, but it took a little while to see why people compare this to Bunny. But by the end it's so accurate, and I had so much fun with this.
April 30, 2025
ANTI-SLOW BURN ALERT!!!
Do not even tell me that Liann Zhang's JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is a debut, because I still cannot believe it. What a juicccyyyyyy freaking ride! Ms. Zhang gets all the applause today! This book sinks its teeth into influencer culture, race, and identity. When supermarket cashier Julie discovers her estranged, identical twin Chloe—now a mega-popular influencer—dead under mysterious circumstances, she slips into her sister’s curated life of glam and likes. But what begins as a seductive escape quickly spirals into a sinister mystery, especially during a high-stakes island retreat with Chloe’s influencer clique.
This book was wildly fun and totally unputdownable—even if you have to suspend disbelief at times. Zhang immerses you deep into Julie’s psyche as she navigates privilege, performative authenticity, and the dark underbelly of social media fame. If you loved the surreal satire of Mona Awad's Bunny, this is right up your alley. JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is easily one of my top reads of the year—I’m now officially a Liann Zhang fan!
Do not even tell me that Liann Zhang's JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is a debut, because I still cannot believe it. What a juicccyyyyyy freaking ride! Ms. Zhang gets all the applause today! This book sinks its teeth into influencer culture, race, and identity. When supermarket cashier Julie discovers her estranged, identical twin Chloe—now a mega-popular influencer—dead under mysterious circumstances, she slips into her sister’s curated life of glam and likes. But what begins as a seductive escape quickly spirals into a sinister mystery, especially during a high-stakes island retreat with Chloe’s influencer clique.
This book was wildly fun and totally unputdownable—even if you have to suspend disbelief at times. Zhang immerses you deep into Julie’s psyche as she navigates privilege, performative authenticity, and the dark underbelly of social media fame. If you loved the surreal satire of Mona Awad's Bunny, this is right up your alley. JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is easily one of my top reads of the year—I’m now officially a Liann Zhang fan!
June 29, 2025
This is a very solid beach read that satirizes influencer culture, not more, but also not less. When young supermarket cashier Julie Chan finds her estranged twin sister Chloe deceased, she becomes an impostor and takes over her sibling's hyper-successful social media accounts and thus her supposedly glamorous life - of course, there is darkness behind the facade, and Julie finds Chloe's influencer friend group around internet star Bella Marie, the toxic Belladonnas, to be a murderous cult taking drastic measures for clicks. During a trip to a remote island, Julie has to decide who she wants to be...
Sure, there is nothing new here when it comes to the message, but Zhang adds a tongue-in-cheek angle when she presents lifestyle influencers as members of a pagan cult who have rid themselves of moral obligations by praying to the god of the attention economy. The psychology of the characters is not always convincing, but then again, the plot is intentionally far-fetched and over the top: Don't expect a straight-up thriller, this is unhinged social commentary in neon colors, written to entertain. At the same time, the text mirrors to us readers what we consume and tend to validate on the web and why: It appeals to very human desires like community and comfort.
So with the right expectations, this is a fun read by the pool, or an easy-to-follow audio book to listen to while cycling at the sunny riverside (as I did).
Sure, there is nothing new here when it comes to the message, but Zhang adds a tongue-in-cheek angle when she presents lifestyle influencers as members of a pagan cult who have rid themselves of moral obligations by praying to the god of the attention economy. The psychology of the characters is not always convincing, but then again, the plot is intentionally far-fetched and over the top: Don't expect a straight-up thriller, this is unhinged social commentary in neon colors, written to entertain. At the same time, the text mirrors to us readers what we consume and tend to validate on the web and why: It appeals to very human desires like community and comfort.
So with the right expectations, this is a fun read by the pool, or an easy-to-follow audio book to listen to while cycling at the sunny riverside (as I did).
December 21, 2024
Well this one was coo-coo-ka-kooky- choo!
First half book: 5 stars
Second half book: 3 stars
I don't want to say a lot about the 2nd half because I love to keep my reviews spoiler free.
Julie Chan is a supermarket employee who is living paycheck to paycheck and not much going on in her life. Typically, her workplace puts her in a position to have no choice but to steal from them and then threaten to fire her. She is a pitiable individual. Julie is an identical twin, she and Chloe were separated at the age of 4. After a car accident killed their parents, Julie is taken in by their greedy, rude aunt. Chloe is adopted by racist white people who are rich and will use her as an exploitation device.
Still, Julie has it worse. Due to Chloe's privilege- and also likely her extroversion- she is a successful and rich influencer. When she is found dead, Julie takes her phone (Face ID works!) and completely takes over her identity. Will she be found out? Can she infiltrate into the influencer world by studying the people Chloe is following and her DMs? Some of this is easy, and others, not so much.
This book is making a point to compare social media and influencing to being in a cult like mentality. That the collective internet thinks they know you and they don't. That all of us, to some extent, curate our identities into an online brand. In a way, I am doing it right now, by writing this review. It gives you a lot to think about. The second half will tell you how Chloe died and will unite the social media Chloe with the real world Julie. The reader will find themselves rooting for her.
Again, the second half takes a turn. It is much darker and more disturbing. If you like the themes and exploring how celebrity and wealth change people, and you like a roller coaster dark thriller, you will probably love this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for recommending this ARC to me. I am grateful that I got to be one of the first people to read this talented new debut author. Book to be published April 29, 2025
First half book: 5 stars
Second half book: 3 stars
I don't want to say a lot about the 2nd half because I love to keep my reviews spoiler free.
Julie Chan is a supermarket employee who is living paycheck to paycheck and not much going on in her life. Typically, her workplace puts her in a position to have no choice but to steal from them and then threaten to fire her. She is a pitiable individual. Julie is an identical twin, she and Chloe were separated at the age of 4. After a car accident killed their parents, Julie is taken in by their greedy, rude aunt. Chloe is adopted by racist white people who are rich and will use her as an exploitation device.
Still, Julie has it worse. Due to Chloe's privilege- and also likely her extroversion- she is a successful and rich influencer. When she is found dead, Julie takes her phone (Face ID works!) and completely takes over her identity. Will she be found out? Can she infiltrate into the influencer world by studying the people Chloe is following and her DMs? Some of this is easy, and others, not so much.
This book is making a point to compare social media and influencing to being in a cult like mentality. That the collective internet thinks they know you and they don't. That all of us, to some extent, curate our identities into an online brand. In a way, I am doing it right now, by writing this review. It gives you a lot to think about. The second half will tell you how Chloe died and will unite the social media Chloe with the real world Julie. The reader will find themselves rooting for her.
Again, the second half takes a turn. It is much darker and more disturbing. If you like the themes and exploring how celebrity and wealth change people, and you like a roller coaster dark thriller, you will probably love this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for recommending this ARC to me. I am grateful that I got to be one of the first people to read this talented new debut author. Book to be published April 29, 2025
June 14, 2025
TW/CW: Language, use of c-word, death of parent, death of sibling, toxic family relationships, blackmail, drug use, death by suicide (mention), cheating, drinking, animal death (mouse - graphic), miscarriage
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
Release Date: April 29th, 2025
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Cover was great
2. Creepy influencers
What I Didn't Like:
1. Too much like other things to be it's own
2. Felt like two different books in one
3. Got boring at times
Final Thoughts:
This book was weird but not in a good kind of way weird but weird weird. It just goes off the rails out of the blue. The tone of book just switches in the middle of it and I thought I was reading a different book all together.
The first part deals with the moral complications of taking your dead twins successful social media platform. I mean who hasn't had that happen to them? I get they didn't grow up together and her sister did screw her over after using her but you'd think you'd have more of a reaction or emotional than Julie does. She doesn't care however.
There just seems to be too many holes in this logic of her doing this and an aunt who pieces it all together because
“You could barely swallow your Tylenol when you got a fever. You had to grind it up and sprinkle it into your water because you’re scared of tablets getting caught in your throat. A pill overdose is the last way you’d go.”
Which, does check since when Julie takes pills she chews them up but my issue is that why would the aunt question the death since she doesn't know if Julie chewed up the pills or crushed them before taking them. I also have zero idea how the aunt got Chloe's phone number. Chloe had no relationship with the aunt.
The other issue is one has the best skin care and grew up in a rich family so she was more put together while Julie grew up poor and struggles as an adult. I don't know how you'd look at Julie and think she's Chloe.
[Random complaint] The most unrealistic thing about this book was how Julie was at work and has a coughing fit so the manager sends her home. Yeah right! No one gets sent home. You could be dying and they'd ignore it just as long as you're able to still work the register. Food service and retail you are never allowed to leave. Plus the manager in this book gives her the day off the next day. That would never happen!!! If you got to go home by chance they aren't offering the next day off too! What a fantasy world.
Once sucked into the world of influencers Julie turns into a different person. Suddenly she cares about people when before she came off like she hated everyone. She cares about the other influencers too, which in that community I doubt happens much let alone with 10 women.
They go to the island in the last 100 pages and it turns into this odd sex crazed cult Mona Awad Bunny rip off scene ever. It's like the author read Bunny and saw Ready or Not and had to write their own book with similarities. The tone of it was whiplash at how fast it changed. I started wondering if the author took a long break and came back to finish the book.
The island is giving gifts in the form of a sacrifices tat one is willing to give to Eto (I'm assuming a demon). This part is odd and ridiculous. Angelique gives up her womb when she is 13 and has endometriosis at 15 so they give her a hysterectomy which cures all the pain. I wish that was possible in reality. Hysterectomies barely ever cure endometriosis. Julie offers the Belladonnas as her offering.
Ending just slams on the brakes for the action to give us endless pages of Julie in prison and I didn't care one bit. I was bored.
Not a horror book but thriller with horror elements.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
Release Date: April 29th, 2025
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Cover was great
2. Creepy influencers
What I Didn't Like:
1. Too much like other things to be it's own
2. Felt like two different books in one
3. Got boring at times
Final Thoughts:
This book was weird but not in a good kind of way weird but weird weird. It just goes off the rails out of the blue. The tone of book just switches in the middle of it and I thought I was reading a different book all together.
The first part deals with the moral complications of taking your dead twins successful social media platform. I mean who hasn't had that happen to them? I get they didn't grow up together and her sister did screw her over after using her but you'd think you'd have more of a reaction or emotional than Julie does. She doesn't care however.
There just seems to be too many holes in this logic of her doing this and an aunt who pieces it all together because
“You could barely swallow your Tylenol when you got a fever. You had to grind it up and sprinkle it into your water because you’re scared of tablets getting caught in your throat. A pill overdose is the last way you’d go.”
Which, does check since when Julie takes pills she chews them up but my issue is that why would the aunt question the death since she doesn't know if Julie chewed up the pills or crushed them before taking them. I also have zero idea how the aunt got Chloe's phone number. Chloe had no relationship with the aunt.
The other issue is one has the best skin care and grew up in a rich family so she was more put together while Julie grew up poor and struggles as an adult. I don't know how you'd look at Julie and think she's Chloe.
[Random complaint] The most unrealistic thing about this book was how Julie was at work and has a coughing fit so the manager sends her home. Yeah right! No one gets sent home. You could be dying and they'd ignore it just as long as you're able to still work the register. Food service and retail you are never allowed to leave. Plus the manager in this book gives her the day off the next day. That would never happen!!! If you got to go home by chance they aren't offering the next day off too! What a fantasy world.
Once sucked into the world of influencers Julie turns into a different person. Suddenly she cares about people when before she came off like she hated everyone. She cares about the other influencers too, which in that community I doubt happens much let alone with 10 women.
They go to the island in the last 100 pages and it turns into this odd sex crazed cult Mona Awad Bunny rip off scene ever. It's like the author read Bunny and saw Ready or Not and had to write their own book with similarities. The tone of it was whiplash at how fast it changed. I started wondering if the author took a long break and came back to finish the book.
The island is giving gifts in the form of a sacrifices tat one is willing to give to Eto (I'm assuming a demon). This part is odd and ridiculous. Angelique gives up her womb when she is 13 and has endometriosis at 15 so they give her a hysterectomy which cures all the pain. I wish that was possible in reality. Hysterectomies barely ever cure endometriosis. Julie offers the Belladonnas as her offering.
Ending just slams on the brakes for the action to give us endless pages of Julie in prison and I didn't care one bit. I was bored.
Not a horror book but thriller with horror elements.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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