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Parallel Lives #1
Parallel Lives
If Jen can't get back to her usual self, she'll end up having to do everything all over again. Jen is a thirty-seven-year-old middle-school teacher in 2012. Overweight, underpaid, in debt, and with a bitter divorce pending, Jen wants to start over.
Then Jen is hit by a car. When she awakens, she is a thirteen-year-old kid with her same parents and siblings, but it is still 2012. Initially Jen resists accepting her new reality, insisting that she is thirty-seven years old. However, faced with the possibility of confinement to a mental health ward, she is forced to play along.
Jen struggles to understand her situation. She jumps on every possible source of information until she stumbles upon some discussions in theoretical physics regarding parallel universes. Could this be what happened to her? She contacts a quantum physics professor, who tells her he can help her go "home", thus leaving her with a major decision. Should she stay and relive the pain of adolescence, but have the chance to make better life choices? Or should she return to her highly flawed but familiar life?
Then Jen is hit by a car. When she awakens, she is a thirteen-year-old kid with her same parents and siblings, but it is still 2012. Initially Jen resists accepting her new reality, insisting that she is thirty-seven years old. However, faced with the possibility of confinement to a mental health ward, she is forced to play along.
Jen struggles to understand her situation. She jumps on every possible source of information until she stumbles upon some discussions in theoretical physics regarding parallel universes. Could this be what happened to her? She contacts a quantum physics professor, who tells her he can help her go "home", thus leaving her with a major decision. Should she stay and relive the pain of adolescence, but have the chance to make better life choices? Or should she return to her highly flawed but familiar life?
231 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2013
15 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Lori Lucero
4 books19 followersLori Lucero is the author of Parallel Lives, Parallel Selves, and Displaced in Time. A school psychologist by day, novelist by night, she also dabbles in photography and graphic design. Originally from Montana, she now resides in Kennewick, WA with her very spoiled cat.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RX5QPDW
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RX5QPDW
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 17, 2013
Parallel Lives by Lori Lucero poses a question that many of us have thought about at one time or another: what if you could go back in time and do things over again with all the knowledge and wisdom that you have today? But then the book poses an unexpected corollary: would you be willing to live through adolescence to adulthood one more time to make better choices? Or would you rather return to your own flawed life if given the chance?
The story’s protagonist, Jen, is a 37-year-old middle school teacher who is unhappy with her life and in the midst of a divorce when a sudden accident sends her into what she believes is a coma-induced dream. But eventually she realizes that she has somehow been sent back, not to her actual childhood, but to the childhood of a thirteen-year-old version of herself living in 2012. Her family is similar to the one she remembers, but not quite the same, and her background has changed in subtle ways. That said, she realizes she has the chance to correct the mistakes she’s made in life – if only she can live through being thirteen again.
The story eventually gets into concepts of quantum physics and parallel worlds, although this is more of a plot device than a scientific explanation for time travel that you might see in a Sci-Fi novel. The twist comes when Jen discovers an old physics professor who might have a way to bring her back to her adult life in a parallel universe. As a thirteen-year-old, Jen can use her adult wisdom to change her life and the lives of those around her, yet at the same time she is an adult stuck in an adolescent body. But if she takes up the professor on his offer, she might be stuck with the same bad life she’s made for herself: 37, childless, and going through a divorce.
The author, who has a background in education, uses a number of subplots to explore the problems with the public educational system, but she also does a nice job of getting the reader to focus on the difficult issues one tends to never think about when “wishing” you could go back and do things differently in your life. The story poses an existential dilemma, and while that is a central point, it is also one of the story’s weaknesses. Most of the conflict in the novel is internal to the main character, and as a result it’s a bit light on the gripping drama or conflict that might have occurred if the story’s threats were more external. But I think resolving an internal conflict was the author’s goal, and in that sense it worked well enough. If you like thought-provoking stories that involve a character working through a dilemma in her life – albeit mostly internally – you should enjoy Parallel Lives.
The story’s protagonist, Jen, is a 37-year-old middle school teacher who is unhappy with her life and in the midst of a divorce when a sudden accident sends her into what she believes is a coma-induced dream. But eventually she realizes that she has somehow been sent back, not to her actual childhood, but to the childhood of a thirteen-year-old version of herself living in 2012. Her family is similar to the one she remembers, but not quite the same, and her background has changed in subtle ways. That said, she realizes she has the chance to correct the mistakes she’s made in life – if only she can live through being thirteen again.
The story eventually gets into concepts of quantum physics and parallel worlds, although this is more of a plot device than a scientific explanation for time travel that you might see in a Sci-Fi novel. The twist comes when Jen discovers an old physics professor who might have a way to bring her back to her adult life in a parallel universe. As a thirteen-year-old, Jen can use her adult wisdom to change her life and the lives of those around her, yet at the same time she is an adult stuck in an adolescent body. But if she takes up the professor on his offer, she might be stuck with the same bad life she’s made for herself: 37, childless, and going through a divorce.
The author, who has a background in education, uses a number of subplots to explore the problems with the public educational system, but she also does a nice job of getting the reader to focus on the difficult issues one tends to never think about when “wishing” you could go back and do things differently in your life. The story poses an existential dilemma, and while that is a central point, it is also one of the story’s weaknesses. Most of the conflict in the novel is internal to the main character, and as a result it’s a bit light on the gripping drama or conflict that might have occurred if the story’s threats were more external. But I think resolving an internal conflict was the author’s goal, and in that sense it worked well enough. If you like thought-provoking stories that involve a character working through a dilemma in her life – albeit mostly internally – you should enjoy Parallel Lives.
June 29, 2013
The slightly vapid front photo for Parallel Lives by Lori Lucero (see Amazon edition) does not do this wonderful book justice at all. There's so much to like about this debut (terrific plot, great pacing, very likable characters), but you would never know it from the cover!
Besides capturing important themes (second chances, what makes or breaks a family, education and nature vs. nurture) without being preachy or sacrificing the amazing plot, another striking feature is the way Lori Lecuro decides to have her main character go back to her teenage years.
Instead of plopping Jen back in the 1980s (when she was originally 13), she opts for a more original idea: a parallel version of 2012 where Jen's family and personal background are slightly off from her original memories and the pop culture of her youth is no more.
I love how believable Jen is as she struggles to keep her 37-year-old self in check since the outside world only sees her as a young girl.
Her parents and sister worry about her at first when she is behaving oddly and even friends and teachers notice she seems more mature than she's been in the past. She manages to convince the people in her life she really is okay while doing the best she can to adjust to all the freedoms you give up as an adult trapped in the body of a child living under her parents' roof.
So often in books where time travel or parallel universes serve as a means to get the character somewhere the suspension of disbelief expected of the reader is ludicrous. Here the author skillfully tackles all her bases so that the physics and small science fiction elements behind her story never strain credibility or bog down the book.
I can't wait to read more from Lori Lucero. Parallel Lives lingers pleasantly behind long after you've finished the last page. It makes the next book you pick up to read have to work for its money! :)
Besides capturing important themes (second chances, what makes or breaks a family, education and nature vs. nurture) without being preachy or sacrificing the amazing plot, another striking feature is the way Lori Lecuro decides to have her main character go back to her teenage years.
Instead of plopping Jen back in the 1980s (when she was originally 13), she opts for a more original idea: a parallel version of 2012 where Jen's family and personal background are slightly off from her original memories and the pop culture of her youth is no more.
I love how believable Jen is as she struggles to keep her 37-year-old self in check since the outside world only sees her as a young girl.
Her parents and sister worry about her at first when she is behaving oddly and even friends and teachers notice she seems more mature than she's been in the past. She manages to convince the people in her life she really is okay while doing the best she can to adjust to all the freedoms you give up as an adult trapped in the body of a child living under her parents' roof.
So often in books where time travel or parallel universes serve as a means to get the character somewhere the suspension of disbelief expected of the reader is ludicrous. Here the author skillfully tackles all her bases so that the physics and small science fiction elements behind her story never strain credibility or bog down the book.
I can't wait to read more from Lori Lucero. Parallel Lives lingers pleasantly behind long after you've finished the last page. It makes the next book you pick up to read have to work for its money! :)
January 11, 2022
Well done, but was more focused on character and situation. So if you're looking for Hard Science Fiction, look elsewhere. She only gets one trip through the rabbit hole. I was hoping for multiple do-overs.
Worth the read if you enjoy any fiction about parallel universes and the like.
Worth the read if you enjoy any fiction about parallel universes and the like.
April 10, 2013
In the Goodreads giveaways I won a book by Lori Lucero entitled "Parallel Lives" which I found to be not only very well-written, but intriguing. The story revolves around a distraught and bitter thirty-seven year old middle-school teacher, Jen Jensen. In her distress while undergoing a messy divorce, overweight, debt-ridden, and frustrated with her career, she is hit by a car and is suddenly propelled into a parallel universe where she's thirteen again. This is an exciting idea because it means she can restart her life ,avoiding the pitfalls and disappointments that have stressed her out.
The story is fascinating as Jen, through the eyes of an adult, has to deal with all the emotional ups and downs of being a teenager as well as counselling her friend Lucy who has serious, even dangerous, family problems. Lori Lucero does an excellent job of capturing both age groups, creating characters and situations that are realistic in 2012.
I found the storyline riveting as Jen is faced with the decision of whether or not to remain in the world she's tumbled into or to try and return to her life as an adult. This is an excellent book, that holds lots of surprises including a twist at the end. I loved it and recommend it highly.
The story is fascinating as Jen, through the eyes of an adult, has to deal with all the emotional ups and downs of being a teenager as well as counselling her friend Lucy who has serious, even dangerous, family problems. Lori Lucero does an excellent job of capturing both age groups, creating characters and situations that are realistic in 2012.
I found the storyline riveting as Jen is faced with the decision of whether or not to remain in the world she's tumbled into or to try and return to her life as an adult. This is an excellent book, that holds lots of surprises including a twist at the end. I loved it and recommend it highly.
July 21, 2013
A huge thank-you to Lori Lucero for this Goodreads giveaway copy of her book.
I liked the concept for this book, it is always an interesting idea to see what life would be like if there were a few changes made. Unfortunately I found it hard to connect with the main character at all, it felt like it was trying to hard to create the separation of an older mindset with a younger exterior. There was so much time spent on her commentary on how she is older than this and how confusing it was that it didn't feel like there was enough time fleshing out the story. It also seemed to have too many convenient coincidences and introduced story elements that never got enough explanation. Towards the end there was also some mistakes with the names used.
Again it was a good premise with the promise of some interesting philosophical points but it became too jumbled and as a result felt ultimately unsatisfying.
I liked the concept for this book, it is always an interesting idea to see what life would be like if there were a few changes made. Unfortunately I found it hard to connect with the main character at all, it felt like it was trying to hard to create the separation of an older mindset with a younger exterior. There was so much time spent on her commentary on how she is older than this and how confusing it was that it didn't feel like there was enough time fleshing out the story. It also seemed to have too many convenient coincidences and introduced story elements that never got enough explanation. Towards the end there was also some mistakes with the names used.
Again it was a good premise with the promise of some interesting philosophical points but it became too jumbled and as a result felt ultimately unsatisfying.
January 12, 2024
I enjoyed the book very much. The story was original and the characters were likeable. I would have liked to get a short view of how the real 13 year old Jen handled life as an adult. The book had a nice, happy ending.
April 26, 2013
I received this book as the result of a First reads giveaway.
Once in a while we stumble across a book that intrigues us and gives us a look into something we may have questioned ourselves at one point or another. This book does just that. The question? I wonder what life would be like if I could change things. This book takes a page from Sliders , an 80's TV show, and uses the theory of parallel universes.
I enjoyed the characters, with our main character being Jen, a thirty seven year old teacher who is thrown into an alternate universe as her 13 year old self. Thirteen year old Jen now goes, ironically, to the same school at thirteen that she teaches at in her original world. She befriends a troubled youth that she helped as an adult. Jen will face tough choices throughout the book with the final one being her choice of starting over as a thirteen year old, or returning to her depressing life in her universe.
This book covers some pretty heavy topics such as suicide, molestation, internet deception, alcoholism and running away. It also offers some alternatives. (I would love to see a blurb about the kids help line number at the end of this book for youth that do stumble across this novel.) With that said, this is not a dark and depressing book but more of a glimpse into today's youth and some of the challenges they face.
This is an easy read, I know it took me much longer to complete thanks to my hectic schedule this past week, but it was always a relief to find some quiet time to enjoy this, even if it only lasted as long as a chapter is long. The flow was smooth and it didn't feel like Lucero was rushing it to an end.
Overall, this was an interesting book with a unique angle on the age old question of what if.
Once in a while we stumble across a book that intrigues us and gives us a look into something we may have questioned ourselves at one point or another. This book does just that. The question? I wonder what life would be like if I could change things. This book takes a page from Sliders , an 80's TV show, and uses the theory of parallel universes.
I enjoyed the characters, with our main character being Jen, a thirty seven year old teacher who is thrown into an alternate universe as her 13 year old self. Thirteen year old Jen now goes, ironically, to the same school at thirteen that she teaches at in her original world. She befriends a troubled youth that she helped as an adult. Jen will face tough choices throughout the book with the final one being her choice of starting over as a thirteen year old, or returning to her depressing life in her universe.
This book covers some pretty heavy topics such as suicide, molestation, internet deception, alcoholism and running away. It also offers some alternatives. (I would love to see a blurb about the kids help line number at the end of this book for youth that do stumble across this novel.) With that said, this is not a dark and depressing book but more of a glimpse into today's youth and some of the challenges they face.
This is an easy read, I know it took me much longer to complete thanks to my hectic schedule this past week, but it was always a relief to find some quiet time to enjoy this, even if it only lasted as long as a chapter is long. The flow was smooth and it didn't feel like Lucero was rushing it to an end.
Overall, this was an interesting book with a unique angle on the age old question of what if.
June 18, 2013
This was a very enjoyable read overall. Jen is your fairly typical 37-year-old – struggling with her weight, disillusioned with her job and right in the middle of a nasty divorce, while all the while her biological clock is ticking. The beginning of the book throws you right into this, when Jen is having a fight over the phone with her soon-to-be ex-husband about (of all things) custody of the cat.
All of that is enough to get you lost in thought frequently, and on one of those occasions she steps out in front of a car. Cue some floating in darkness, and the next thing she knows she’s thirteen again, but she still has all of her memories, and rather than being a teenager in the eighties she’s now a teenager in 2012.
What I liked about this book was that rather than giving no explanation for this at all, or the explanation being something vaguely magical, the cause of Jen’s switcheroo is down to quantum and parallel universes. The science behind it sounded a bit lightweight to me, but of course I’m not a quantum physicist.
Other things I liked: the fact that Jen doesn’t just go back to her childhood, but instead becomes a child in the same year as she was 37 in. It was a neat twist on the time-travel thing. I also found her thought processes quite believable, as in how she reacted to the switch and how she subsequently dealt with it and felt about it. The writing itself was easy to read and I flew through the book quite quickly.
I did feel that the dialogue was a little wooden on a few occasions (by no means always), and there seemed to be little point to Jen’s sister Melanie other than to be a sometimes slightly annoying kid sister. Still, a good effort on the whole.
All of that is enough to get you lost in thought frequently, and on one of those occasions she steps out in front of a car. Cue some floating in darkness, and the next thing she knows she’s thirteen again, but she still has all of her memories, and rather than being a teenager in the eighties she’s now a teenager in 2012.
What I liked about this book was that rather than giving no explanation for this at all, or the explanation being something vaguely magical, the cause of Jen’s switcheroo is down to quantum and parallel universes. The science behind it sounded a bit lightweight to me, but of course I’m not a quantum physicist.
Other things I liked: the fact that Jen doesn’t just go back to her childhood, but instead becomes a child in the same year as she was 37 in. It was a neat twist on the time-travel thing. I also found her thought processes quite believable, as in how she reacted to the switch and how she subsequently dealt with it and felt about it. The writing itself was easy to read and I flew through the book quite quickly.
I did feel that the dialogue was a little wooden on a few occasions (by no means always), and there seemed to be little point to Jen’s sister Melanie other than to be a sometimes slightly annoying kid sister. Still, a good effort on the whole.
March 6, 2014
As a lifelong reader, I remember being 18, 19 years old and wishing there were more books for my age group. I had outgrown the Young Adult genre, but the "adult" books were still a little too mature for me. I couldn't relate to 40 year old characters worried about their careers, the stock market and their own children. I would have loved Parallel Lives at that time, and would have definitely rated it a 5 star book. I seriously think the 18 -25 year old readers need more books like this!
However, since I'm not 19 anymore and can not go back in time like Jen did, I still enjoyed the story but it was too simple for me to rate it a 5. I read primarily for relaxation and enjoyment, but I also like to learn a little something. I hate pompus books that are more focused on fancy language than the plot (this definitely isn't one of those!) But I do like to think a little, and I'm not afraid of the occasional metaphor.
The back cover suggested that theoretical physics would be discussed, but you really won't learn anything interesting on that topic here. But if you want a fun, really light beach read, or you are 18 and inbetween YA and adult books, you will like this one.
However, since I'm not 19 anymore and can not go back in time like Jen did, I still enjoyed the story but it was too simple for me to rate it a 5. I read primarily for relaxation and enjoyment, but I also like to learn a little something. I hate pompus books that are more focused on fancy language than the plot (this definitely isn't one of those!) But I do like to think a little, and I'm not afraid of the occasional metaphor.
The back cover suggested that theoretical physics would be discussed, but you really won't learn anything interesting on that topic here. But if you want a fun, really light beach read, or you are 18 and inbetween YA and adult books, you will like this one.
June 11, 2013
This story had me snared from the beginning. Our leading lady, Jen, is a 37 year old woman who is unhappy with her life and at the point of a nervous breakdown. She gets into an accident and when she wakes up, she's a 15 year old teenager with her 37 year old wits still about her.
I had fun with this because I was waiting to see if the explanation would be magical or sci-fi or fantasy...
I can't go into too much detail without ruining the journey for you but you should definitely download a copy and find out for yourself. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the characters and the conflicts. All were realistic and drew me deeper into the plot.
I had fun with this because I was waiting to see if the explanation would be magical or sci-fi or fantasy...
I can't go into too much detail without ruining the journey for you but you should definitely download a copy and find out for yourself. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the characters and the conflicts. All were realistic and drew me deeper into the plot.
February 26, 2014
An interesting twist on multiple universes, Parallel Lives is certainly worth a read. Jen gets a chance to change her life, and manages not to mangle her new one while at the same time having to make a decision about her old one.
It's a little bit Freaky Friday meets Back to the Future, but certainly well written and I'd highly recommend it.
It's a little bit Freaky Friday meets Back to the Future, but certainly well written and I'd highly recommend it.
January 6, 2015
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. Fun premise. I enjoyed reading this and I think it brings up an interesting question that could keep the book club talking well into the second bottle of wine...
February 15, 2015
A Different Life
In the beginning the main character is in a car accident that seems to send her to a parallel universe where she lives a different life prior to the accident. I promise it will make sense by the time you finish this book.
In the beginning the main character is in a car accident that seems to send her to a parallel universe where she lives a different life prior to the accident. I promise it will make sense by the time you finish this book.
January 2, 2015
This was a silly fun book. It is not high brow literature but it was fun to read albeit predictable, unoriginal and forgettable.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews