Review: Julie Chan Is Dead

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2 Stars because I managed to finish it.

This is the second book in less than two weeks that I've read with the same plot: steal someone else's life and lie like a rug about it, get totally caught up in their lives, and live their good life.

However, this book goes one step further. The life she (Julie) is stealing is her influencer sister's—and when I say influencer, I mean BIG time! In addition to this mess, they are twin sisters, which makes it easier for Julie to steal her life. Oh, and did I mention that the influencer (Chloe) is dead? And did I also mention that Julie is being blackmailed?

Most of the first two-thirds of the book is about Julie/Chloe learning about being an influencer. Catty, scary (will she get caught?), shallow.
But the last third of the book is really what made me fall into dislike of this book. Could we get any more woo-woo? I knew that there was something wrong with Bella Marie, but this week at her island took the cake. If I try to explain, I will manage to spoil the book for you, but if I don't explain, you won't see why I was so disappointed with it. Let's just say that Chloe/Julie might be in for a very frightening ride, but she doesn't learn her lesson. More's the pity.

This book ends on a very low note. There is no character growth (I shouldn't have expected any, though), and many questions remain unanswered. Was she still getting "help" from Eto? Will she turn into the next Belle Marie? How did the trial turn out?

I've said enough.

*ARC provided by the publisher Atria Books/Simon and Schuster, the author, and NetGalley.

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DESCRIPTION: ''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."