Review: 'Twin Piques' by Tracie Banister (2015)

Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common. 
How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head? 
Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore? 
To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?
When I was younger I often used to wish for an identical twin sister. After seeing 'The Parent Trap' (the Disney version with Lindsay Lohan), I thought it would be so great to have a twin, someone who looked exactly like you, to have fun with and get into trouble with. Luckily, I ended up with a younger sister and brother, who are both even better than an identical twin sister, but my interest in twins never really went away! So, when author Tracie Banister contacted me about possibly reviewing her novel 'Twin Piques', which was released in January 2015, I immediately got excited. Tracie has actually written two other chick lit novels before this one: 'In Need of Therapy' and 'Blame It on the Fame', but this was my first experience with her writing and I had my fingers crossed, hoping it would end up being a good one!
Thirty-two-year old identical twin sisters Sloane and Willa Tobin might look the same, but on the inside they couldn't possibly be more different. While Willa is a sweet and caring pet psychic, always willing to help people and looking for her own Prince Charming; Sloane is a confident and focused forensic accountant, a true workaholic and definitely not looking for anything more than a simple hook-up. When Willa meets Brody Wyatt, a handsome rose expert, she immediately notices the spark between them and can't stop thinking about him. At the same time, Sloane is busy with some high-profile cases and knows she needs to focus in order to get that promotion she wants. Willa and Sloane will need each other to get through the troubles of their daily lives in order to get what they want, but will they be able to set aside their differences and help each other out when they most need it...?
I am so happy I was contacted by Tracie Banister and got the chance to be introduced to her work; I loved everything about 'Twin Piques' and it's a read I highly recommend to other chick lit fans! From the first chapter I was taken in by the characters and the story and just didn't want to leave them behind (any hope for a sequel, Tracie?). Willa and Sloane were great female protagonists and I think every reader will be able to find at least one thing they have in common with one of them or can relate to in one way or another. I loved both Sloane and Willa and their different characters but strong sisterly bond definitely made for some interesting reading. 
The author's writing style was a true joy to read; descriptive, lots of dialogue, quick-paced, funny... Perfect for the chick lit genre! The chapters are told from either Willa or Sloane's perspective and this led to the reader getting close to both sisters, knowing what they're feeling and thinking. Next to Willa and Sloane, there's a cast of great secondary characters, particularly two fantastic men in the form of Brody and Gavin. I can't believe it took me this long to pick up this novel and I already can't wait to read some of Tracie Banister's other works. 'Twin Piques' is a light-hearted, fun, and thoroughly entertaining book which I simply couldn't get enough of; the perfect read for chick lit fans or anyone looking for a great romantic comedy read!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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