Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Troy and Aaron Mayer, identical twins separated at the age of two, lived wildly different lives. Aaron struggled to take care of their alcoholic, gambling-addicted mother, while Troy, raised by their father, experienced a life of luxury.

After years of silence, Troy asks to see Aaron. When Aaron arrives at his brother's boat, he finds a note instead and suspects suicide. In his farewell note, Troy offers Aaron his car, his money, and his life of riches.

On the run from loan sharks, Aaron slips easily into this mirrored life. But everywhere he turns he discovers somebody Troy devastated, including his handsome husband, Dave Alvarez. Pulled into his brother’s life of crime, Aaron is set up for a fall, but he’s too strong to shatter.

First edition published under the title 'Mirrors' by Silver Publishing, July 2012.

Second edition published under the title 'Mirrors' by Dreamspinner Press, March 2015.

 

Book Review

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: “Behavior is a mirror in which everyone displays his own image.” In 'Mirror Image' by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly, Aaron Mayer gets to see his reflection on both sides of the mirror. He's always lamented having to stay with his mother after his parents were divorced, while his identical twin, Troy, went with his father. He'd assumed that Troy got the best end of the deal. When Aaron is presented with the opportunity to step into his brother's shoes, he jumps at it, feeling that it was his time to live the good life. Aaron soon discovers that being rich doesn't automatically mean life is easy.

I really liked Aaron. He's is clever and resourceful and has a heart of gold. He walks into a completely new situation and takes over with amazing ease. When he finds that his brother used every opportunity to belittle and hurt others, he's appalled and, if he possibly can, tries to make amends. People take notice of Troy's drastic change in attitude and, for the most part, are relieved and eager to believe his sincerity, especially Troy's husband, Dave. But Aaron's father isn't pleased. He's had Troy under his thumb for so long that Troy's showing initiative infuriates him. His father swiftly undoes the changes which Aaron has originated, leaving him frustrated and disillusioned. Aaron's life may had been hard, but it taught him to be self-reliant and made him strong. Taking over as Dave's husband is the toughest challenge Aaron faces and it plays heavily on his conscience.

My heart ached for Dave. Even though Troy treats him badly, Dave remains faithful to him. Dave so earnestly wants to believe that Troy is sincere and has changed, that he dismisses important clues which, otherwise, would've been obvious. He convinces himself that Aaron is Troy and courageously continues on with their relationship loving the new Troy. When Dave does find out the truth, he's justifiably angry, but it also takes great strength of character to put aside his hurt feelings enough so that he doesn't throw away the good with the bad.

It's a love story, inside a mystery, inside of more plotting and planning, unusual twists and turns, and a whole lot of irony. The story is full of angst, adventure, and passion. There are at least three important themes I'd like to point out--be careful what you wish for, money won't buy happiness, and what you sow, you will reap. I loved this story in which things are aren't all black and white, but even in this story's shades of gray, the good guys are rewarded.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 185 pages/55298 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	24-April-2020
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2910-2-mirror-image/