Customer Reviews

The Other Twin

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I recently had the chance to read Katherine Stone's new book The Other Twin. I've been a fan for years and attempt to read her books as soon as they come out. While I can't say that I was let down by this book I also can't say that I finished it with the same enjoyment as I did with her earlier works (Roommates, Twins, The Carlton Club etc.)

I enjoyed the story and definitely recommend it as a quick read. However, I have to offer this caveat - don't expect much. Unfortunately I've noticed in her more recent works that Ms Stone seems to spend less time on the story lines and characters than she used to. By that I mean the stories and characters are not as intricate or as detailed, and truthfully you just don't care about them. When you finished one of her earlier books you felt you knew the characters, their stories and to an extent their future (i.e.: Carrie and Jack in Roommates).

If you love her earlier works, as I do, this book is okay. But, as seems to be happening with the majority of her more recent works, don't expect the same level of workmanship evident in her earlier books, which is truly disappointing.

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Stone and I believe it will be my last. This book had many problems including the fact that there are about 6 stories going on in a 360 page book. With all those story lines you can't get to know any character well. Another problem was the amount of "thinking" that was put into the dialouge. The characters would say something and then in italic print there would be the thoughts of the charcter while they were talking. This is okay sometimes but this is carried on and on with all the characters through out the book. The main story of Gwen & Paige is a great idea, just poorly written and explored.

I like this author, but with the exception of Pearl Moon - her best work so far - nearly all her books are the same. The same premise, the same plot, the same amount of couples paired off, even the same NAMES for the characters!!! This wasn't a bad book, just the same old, same old. If you've read one, there's hardly a need to read the others.

Thirty-one years ago in the Bay area, Dr. Alan Forrester is deeply in love with hippie jeweler Claire MacKenzie who reciprocates his feelings. Though his elitist mother objects to this relationship and her Oregonian family does not care what happens to her, Alan marries Claire. Not long afterward, as her father-in-law drives the two generations of couples to a vacation lodge, a deer causes Gavin to swerve, but he misses the animal and stays on the road that is until the second fawn arrives. The subsequent crash leaves Claire as the only survivor giving birth at the site in the midst of chaos.

Over three decades later, Claire's daughter Paige has become a successful oncologist. To hide a terrible facial birthmark, Gwen St. James becomes so adept that she is the make-up artist for TV news anchors. They meet over a cancer patient of Paige's when Gwen provides make-up to give confidence to the senior citizen as she goes home to see her grandchildren. As Paige and Gwen become better acquainted, secrets from that car crash that killed the doctor's father are revealed leading to close ties between two women who feel deeply connected, but not sure why.

The why seems a stretch yet readers will allow Katherine Stone the lead way because THE OTHER TWIN is an exciting relationship romantic intrigue focusing on the connection between the two females. The story line grips the audience, as the reader wants to know more because the characters make the incident seem real. Though an overabundance of medical terminology is provided, fans will take much pleasure from Ms. Stone's engaging novel.

Harriet Klausner

On one horrible night, Claire Forrester loses her beloved husband and gives birth. Thirty one years later, the child she had on that stormy night finds herself in a tangled mess of problems.

Paige, that daughter, has concealed from her family that she has a deadly medical condition, one that requires her to have a transplant, as soon as possible. On top of that, she has fallen in love with an old friend and met a new friend, Gwen, who has a secret that will rock Paige's reality. Finally, Claire, her beloved mother, is also in a life threatening medical crisis.

***** Ms. Stone's legion of fans will find nothing to be disappointed with in this novel. With a complex plotline and life like situation, this quickly read book will begin your new year with tears and joy. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

Loose, contrived plot. Awful character development. I was glad, however, to find out she was a doctor -- as it explained the mind numbing medical detail.

I picked this up because it said she was a best seller. I at least expected something as readable as Grisham or Sheldon -- and I was disappointed. I'll certainly avoid all books by this author.

This is the first book I have read from Katherine Stone but surely not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was sorry to have it end. Ms. Stone is a wonderful story-teller whose characters crawl into your heart. If you like Danielle Steel and Barbara Delinsky - you will love her.

This is the first of Katharine Stone's books that I have read & I certainly thought it would be my last. After finishing the book, I was amazed that this woman was a regular on the best-seller list. Thus, I was somewhat relieved to find that some of her longtime fans had a similar reaction to this book.

Among other things, the book is poorly constructed, is too contrived, and has a very poorly developed plot. Also, I was a bit thrown with the detailed medical information that was interspersed with less than detailed dialogue. As other readers have said, it was very hard to feel as though you knew the characters. They all felt a bit like cardboard.

I have never read this author before, but picked up this book because the blurb on the back sounded interesting and I wasn't disappointed. If you like stories with characters you can really care about, a little twist at the end, and a very happy ending then you will really enjoy this book. Her style of writing was a little different than I am used to, but not unpleasantly so. I didn't want to put it down. It is also a pretty fast read.

I agree with all of the other reviews. I have enjoyed other books by Katherine Stone but this one was very disappointing. The story line was good; it was just very difficult to believe any of it was plausible. I also will have to reconsider buying another of her books.