If I Were You: A Novel

If I were you, would I read this book or not? That's a good question. Lynn Austin's latest is tough to pin down. She's a good writer, as she has proven to me more than once, and this book has a lot of things to like about it. But there are also some fairly significant issues, so...well, let's just start with the good stuff.Main characters Audrey and Eve are two of the best parts of If I Were You. Their friendship is a type I have seen before--the high-class society girl and the scullery maid (or sometimes, whatever the equivalent is). But Lynn made the friendship its own, by giving Audrey and Eve distinct personalities and ways to connect. For example, the braver Eve showing Audrey how to be courageous feels familiar. But the fact that she would do this by having Audrey hold dead beetles--objects used to bully her--is unique to them. The fact that Eve would comfort Audrey with strawberries is unique to them. So too, is the fact that Audrey would use her privilege and spoiled nature more often to Eve's advantage than her own.I also loved how the friendship was asked, indeed required, to blossom or die in the course of World War II. The best and most enduring relationships don't get that way except through testing. But then again, how many of us can say we've sailed a boat across foreign, or at least unfamiliar, waters in wartime with our best friend? How many of us can say our friendship was tested because one of our mothers was killed in a bombing--because she wouldn't leave the other friend's totally self-absorbed mother? Scenes like that crop up often and are quite powerful. I enjoyed the way Eve and Audrey spent the book being pushed together, then pulled apart, over and over again. It could get a little wearing, but the fact that they remained steadfast always kept me interested.World War II is clearly researched and done justice here, without being at all dry. The Blitz scenes in particular gave me a new respect for what the British people went through during those years. Audrey and Robert's relationship offered a fresh look at war brides (I particularly loved their hospital room wedding; if he marries you in a leg cast, during war, he obviously LOVES you. Swoon)! And, while Eve's actions weren't ideal--actually, sometimes Audrey's weren't either--they provided some good juxtaposition between the reality of human fragility, vs. the grace and mercy of God.Finally, I liked how Lynn handled the issue of the haves and have nots without being preachy. That is, it's clear that Audrey is "victimized" in her privilege, but still has a lot to learn about real life. As another reviewer said, serving others because of a love for God is very different from treating people as "othered," which we shouldn't do. By the same token, Eve has every right to play the victim as the impoverished and disadvantaged half of the friends--and sometimes she does. But the lessons they learn about each other's lack or privilege come in organic ways, like when Audrey has to adjust to Army service or Eve realizes how love-starved Audrey is. These things are written in such a way that even 2020 readers can learn from them instead of saying, "Well, that's obvious, don't shove it down my throat."So, with all that said, why only three stars? A big part of it is the length. Four hundred fifty-five pages to tell one, technically two, stories? I mean, I like long novels, but this one felt 150 pages too long. Especially during the last quarter, which I mostly skimmed, Lynn seemed to go over the same information and emotions again and again. Also, because I knew where and how Eve and Audrey would end up, sometimes the flashback scenes got boring.I also feel that the switch between Eve and Audrey was unnecessary, or failing that, clumsily handled. Even knowing Eve was the pretender, I found myself getting confused as to who was supposed to be whom, when and where. The fact that the women named their sons Robbie and Bobby didn't help. It felt like they were trying to meld into one person or something, which just didn't work. Also, since so little time was spent in the 1950 arc, I felt like the story was "front-loaded" with the main conflict, an elephant nobody seemed to acknowledge the right way.Finally, I felt the spiritual thread needed some work. There are some great moments, such as toward the end when all is forgiven...but that comes across as too neat, too tied up in a pretty bow. There are also moments where we're meant to understand Eve has a more solid faith than Audrey--but then she's the one expressing anger at God and having an affair. Again, it's realistic for what she's dealing with, but it also makes the story seem less about spirituality and redemption than survival on human terms. That is, neither woman seems too invested or interested in faith until the very end, so I felt cheated.So again, if I were you, would I read this? Well, that's up to you. If you say yes, I can't say you'll regret it. I would, however, advise pacing yourself, and knowing what you will and will not get going in. There is a preview of Lynn's next book in the back, which sounds much better, though. So I haven't given up on her at all; this one just wasn't a favorite.

Nothing I write in this review will come close to expressing just how AMAZING If I Were You by Lynn Austin truly is. This book blew me away. The characters are so well crafted they jump off the page. The plot is so engaging I read well past my bedtime. The timely messages are desperately needed for today’s audience and so hope-inducing that I could not help myself, I cried tears of gratefulness and joy. This book is filled with serious HOPE! And, the historical detail is SO well done I felt like I was in WWII-era London. How truly terrifying it must have been for the thousands and thousands of innocent men, women, and children who suffered the nightly bombings in London. I cannot comprehend how they made it through SIX years of that terror. If I Were You is hands down THE must-read novel of 2020.How we treat others matters more that we sometimes can ever know. Every day it is a choice we make to either love others or not. On this earth, some people are called to serve others while others are served, but NO ONE should EVER treat people as “others.” When we treat people like they are nothing more than commodities who serve our purposes, we go against God’s heart. In 2 Chronicles 21, Judah’s king is a man named Jehoram. In verse 20 it states, “Jehoram was thirty-two when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret.” Isn’t that awfully heartbreaking?! I know that when I die, I don’t want people to sigh a breath of relief and say, “Thank God!” Can you imagine no one caring when you die? King Jehoram must have really treated people awfully.In If I Were You, there are two minor female characters. One is rich and one is poor. One treats others as if they were property. She is selfish towards them and she NEVER considers the welfare of others. This rich woman lives her life for herself alone. The poor woman happens to be this rich woman’s Lady’s Maid. She is warm, compassionate, long-suffering, and so wise. She is a very lovely woman and she cares a great deal for her boss. It actually confounds quite a few people that this lovely woman would love her boss. I’m not going to lie, there are a couple of moments in the novel where I questioned this lovely lady’s sentiment towards her wealthy, insufferable, hardhearted boss. What struck me so much about this pair is how others reacted after their deaths. The rich woman reminded me of King Jehoram. When she died very few shed a tear. But when the lovely Lady’s Maid died it really ripped everyone’s, including my own, heart out. It’s a devastating loss and people reacted accordingly. The lesson here is clear: no matter our station in life, we must treat ALL humans with dignity, kindness, and respect. Anything less makes us a Jehoram — a person whose leaving brings a sigh of relief to others. Is this the way you want others to feel when you leave a room, or God forbid, when you die? These two women definitely give the reader quite a bit of food for thought.If I Were You by Lynn Austin is a marvelous story that I will not soon forget. This is a story that reaches into the reader’s heart and makes a lasting impression. I HIGHLY recommend this novel. You will not want to miss this beautiful story.I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from Tyndale Fiction via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback copy of this novel from Tyndale Fiction as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Eve is a servant girl/best friend to the lady of the manor, Audrey. They meet at the age of 12 and become great friends. Then WWII happens, and they are by then old enough to join the British auxiliary. They endure bombings, the loss of both their mothers, and the lives they were accustomed to. Audrey marries an American soldier & plans to go to America,, but just as she receives her immigration papers word comes that her husband has been killed in a tragic accident. She is so distraught she throws the papers into the trash. Later Eve finds the papers and after trying her best to talk Audrey into going on with her plans, and Audrey refusing, Eve decides to go in her place. She pretends to be Audrey & Audrey's husband's parents believe her & accept her. All is well until Audrey shows up four years later, having no idea Eve has assumed her identity. The plot thickens as Eve tries to figure a way out. Excellent book. I hope there is a sequel!

Good book. Bit slow in places but loved the friendship that developed between such different women. Ending too vague. Surely they aren't leaving the friends they had just sought forgiveness from.

Lynn Austin is such a skilled storyteller. I particularly enjoyed reading the reality of the London Blitz experience. I was also engaged with the difference in the status of the two women and how that plays out.

I thoroughly enjoyed If I Were You. I looked forward to each time I opened its pages. The story just kept giving. The account of WW2 escapades were absolutely riveting. Kingsbury is a top writer in my estimation getting right down into the marrow of her characters.

Eve the maid, with loving family, becomes friends with shy Audrey the rich girl. Set in England, They inspire each other to be bolder and stronger. The story starts with Audrey and son going to US to live with her deceased husband's in laws in 1950. She discovers that Audrey and son have been there a few year masquerading as her. The book flips back and forth with their story growing up together and shared experiences as London is heavily bombed by Nazi's. A good story about having courage, loving each other, and forgiveness.

Such a great story, historical christian fiction at it's best. I just could not put it down, a page turner and you will be on the edge of your seat, for the very few days it will take you to read it