Rumour Has It(Mirror Image, Book #1): Mirror Image, #1

By Rowena Fortuin

Bitter Valley isn't your typical South African town. It's a place where the sun rarely shines, the beaches are rocky, and the gossip spreads faster than wildfire. But for identical twin sisters, Emerald and Jasmine Lakewood, it's home. Despite their mirror-like similarities, the sisters couldn't be more different. Emerald is the sensitive and thoughtful one, while Jasmine is daring and impulsive.

 

When Emerald's boyfriend, Tyler, becomes increasingly insensitive, she wonders if she should forgive him at all. Meanwhile, Art Club member, Ambrose, sets his sights on Emerald and is ready to make his move.

 

When gossip about Emerald starts spreading, the sisters' bond is put to the ultimate test. Will their friendship survive the secrets and scandals of Bitter Valley High? Find out in the Mirror Image series, a contemporary reimagining of Sweet Valley High that will leave you with a bittersweet taste. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rowena Fortuin
• Release date: Apr 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215431177

Rowena Fortuin

Rowena Fortuin is the author of Caged, a story about finding silver linings, and Stitches and Strings, a book about learning to embrace your sensitivity. Rowena is passionate about stories and believes that everybody has one to tell. Through words she hopes to evoke a sense of empathy. 

Book preview

Jas! Emerald casted an annoyed glance up the stairs at her sister. It had been the tenth time she'd called her to come down. Her throat was getting hoarse. Jasmine was on the phone with her best friend, chatting up a storm as if they weren’t about to see each other in half an hour. Her effervescent laughter rolled out, filling the entire house. It was a sound that Emerald adored, yet in that moment, it  drove her insane. She looked from the clock on the living room wall— it was 7:36 already—to her babbling sister, then marched up the staircase. Enough was enough.

Unbelievable! And he actually thought he stood a chance? What an idiot. Jasmine stood at the top, her right hand on her hip in a model pose while her left cradled her iPhone. Emerald was slightly out of breath when she reached her mirror image, and a sudden regret surfaced. Why hadn't she participated in PE? Oh, right. Exercise or sports had never been her thing. She failed to understand how an activity such as running around a track could excite anyone. Her boyfriend, Tyler would’ve disagreed, of course. Another feeling of unease shrouded her. Tyler and Emerald hadn't been on speaking terms lately, for reasons she did not want to elaborate on. Besides, she had  more pressing matters to attend to.

Clearing her throat, Emerald crossed her arms. Are you finished? We need to get to school.

The other girl displayed