Pretend She's Here

"Pretend She's Here" is a chilling psychological thriller about fifteen-year-old Emily, who is still reeling from the death of her best friend, Lizzie. In a desperate attempt to cope with their loss, Lizzie's family kidnaps Emily, forcing her to assume Lizzie's identity. Emily must navigate a terrifying new reality, caught between fear for her own family's safety and a growing concern for Lizzie's younger sister, Chloe, who is also a victim of her mother's escalating delusion. This intense story explores themes of grief, identity, and the dark side of love, making it suitable for mature middle-grade readers and young adults.

Fifteen-year-old Emily has six siblings, but she was also close to her best friend, Lizzie Porter, who died nearly a year ago, and she is still grieving; but Lizzie's family are also grieving, so much so, that they use Lizzie's younger sister, Chloe, as a lure and kidnap Emily, forcing her to dress, talk, and act like Lizzie, and threatening to go after Emily's family if she does not become the replacement for the daughter they lost--and Emily is caught between fear for herself and her family, and concern for Chloe, who she sees is also a victim of Mrs. Porter's madness.