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If I Were You
From the author of Maybe Next Time comes a funny and emotional read about a couple struggling in their relationship who accidentally swap bodies on their way to a family wedding weekend.
Amy and Flynn have been dating for two years. And they love each other. Don’t they?
Only Amy can’t read Flynn’s mind and Flynn can’t read Amy’s. Little do they know this weekend is make or break.
Amy’s nervous older sister is getting married at the world’s swankiest wedding venue in rural Devon and is relying on her younger sister to be the perfect Chief Bridesmaid. Frustrations on the way to the wedding escalate until both Amy and Flynn are shouting at each other in a country lane during a thunderstorm. Why can’t they see things from the other’s point of view? When lightning strikes, Flynn and Amy are thrown to the ground, and when they stand back up they realize—they’ve switched bodies.
Forced to attend the glamorous wedding weekend as each other is surely an impossible task. With spa mornings, exes, flash mob rehearsals, speeches and more, getting through this swap will test their relationship to breaking point. And when they each discover big secrets in the other’s past—it seems that switching bodies could be the least of their problems. Even if they do manage to swap back—can their relationship survive?
Amy and Flynn have been dating for two years. And they love each other. Don’t they?
Only Amy can’t read Flynn’s mind and Flynn can’t read Amy’s. Little do they know this weekend is make or break.
Amy’s nervous older sister is getting married at the world’s swankiest wedding venue in rural Devon and is relying on her younger sister to be the perfect Chief Bridesmaid. Frustrations on the way to the wedding escalate until both Amy and Flynn are shouting at each other in a country lane during a thunderstorm. Why can’t they see things from the other’s point of view? When lightning strikes, Flynn and Amy are thrown to the ground, and when they stand back up they realize—they’ve switched bodies.
Forced to attend the glamorous wedding weekend as each other is surely an impossible task. With spa mornings, exes, flash mob rehearsals, speeches and more, getting through this swap will test their relationship to breaking point. And when they each discover big secrets in the other’s past—it seems that switching bodies could be the least of their problems. Even if they do manage to swap back—can their relationship survive?
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First published September 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
October 12, 2024
I'm not entirely convinced that Amy and Flynn would last in real life, but honestly, this story was just pure, entertaining chaos!
Flynn is ready to propose, while Amy is contemplating a breakup. Then, on their way to a family wedding, a lightning strike magically causes them to swap bodies, giving them a chance to see life from each other’s perspective.
Flynn's unchecked, live-in-the-moment energy drives Amy crazy. Amy is more judgmental, often making assumptions without asking questions. In a nutshell, they're complete opposites. There's also a lot Amy doesn't know about Flynn, and I loved how his past was revealed through flashbacks, as Amy slowly realizes she's too focused on why they don’t work, rather than how they do.
As expected from a body-swap scenario, there were plenty of funny moments. And the drama was JUICY, with certain reveals adding layers to an already complex situation. At the end of the day, Amy and Flynn just desperately needed to communicate, but given how both tend to hide their pain, I'll allow it. Watching it all unfold was a fun time!
(heat level: closed door)
Flynn is ready to propose, while Amy is contemplating a breakup. Then, on their way to a family wedding, a lightning strike magically causes them to swap bodies, giving them a chance to see life from each other’s perspective.
Flynn's unchecked, live-in-the-moment energy drives Amy crazy. Amy is more judgmental, often making assumptions without asking questions. In a nutshell, they're complete opposites. There's also a lot Amy doesn't know about Flynn, and I loved how his past was revealed through flashbacks, as Amy slowly realizes she's too focused on why they don’t work, rather than how they do.
As expected from a body-swap scenario, there were plenty of funny moments. And the drama was JUICY, with certain reveals adding layers to an already complex situation. At the end of the day, Amy and Flynn just desperately needed to communicate, but given how both tend to hide their pain, I'll allow it. Watching it all unfold was a fun time!
(heat level: closed door)
September 25, 2024
I really wanted to love this. Romances with a magical element are my bread and butter and the Freaky Friday premise sounded so fun!
Ultimately, I just could not feel endeared to these characters. Their dishonesty and self-absorption was totally off-putting.
I also felt like the hijinx/humor relied way too heavily on gender stereotypes, which got old almost immediately.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
Ultimately, I just could not feel endeared to these characters. Their dishonesty and self-absorption was totally off-putting.
I also felt like the hijinx/humor relied way too heavily on gender stereotypes, which got old almost immediately.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
May 15, 2024
The idea for this book is really cool (picture Freaky Friday but for a couple), and on top of the switch add in secrets, lies, oh and THE wedding of the season.
At first the flip flopping (post switch) was a bit hard to follow (and then I got the hang of it), but it was a fun & light read.
Quirky romantic read, great for a beach read, or a book club too.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
At first the flip flopping (post switch) was a bit hard to follow (and then I got the hang of it), but it was a fun & light read.
Quirky romantic read, great for a beach read, or a book club too.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 1, 2024
A relationship freaky Friday. It’s not great when the body swapping is more believable than that these two people could so quickly reconcile their massive issues.
April 22, 2024
Amy and Flynn are on their way to her sister's wedding. They've been together for a while but are currently not even in the same book let alone the same page. Cue an external force that ends up causing them to switch bodies. Why has this happened? Will there be able to fix the miscommunication that is causing a rift between them? Will they be able to get back to their own bodies?
This is the perfect book for a holiday read or if you are looking for something a little light. It was funny and had a great range of personalities through the side characters which really helped to flesh the novel out. It tugged at my heartstrings and got me really rooting for Amy and Flynn to find their way back to each other. I won't tell you if they did or not. 🤐
Read if you enjoy:
· Family weddings
· Relationship fiascos
· Opposites attract
· Flamingos
· Mother in laws
· Deeply buried secrets
This is the perfect book for a holiday read or if you are looking for something a little light. It was funny and had a great range of personalities through the side characters which really helped to flesh the novel out. It tugged at my heartstrings and got me really rooting for Amy and Flynn to find their way back to each other. I won't tell you if they did or not. 🤐
Read if you enjoy:
· Family weddings
· Relationship fiascos
· Opposites attract
· Flamingos
· Mother in laws
· Deeply buried secrets
September 10, 2024
3⭐️The premise here is absolutely incredible: a couple finds themselves in a Freaky Friday situation right before a family wedding. Sadly, I think the execution just didn’t work for me.
I saw a few early reviews calling this a light read and I have to respectfully disagree. It’s not overly traumatic but there are some flashbacks that I found really depressing and one reveal in particular made me almost want to call it quits. There’s also a huge amount of miscommunication and the main characters fight constantly. And finally, because of the dual POV I had a hard time keeping track of who was talking or experiencing something post-body swap. I caught on eventually but it was a little tricky at times and not a book I’d mindlessly be able to read on a beach chair!
I strongly believe the right reader will love this book! For me personally, I hate when characters have big secrets and the reader is just waiting for something to blow up. Now imagine characters learning those secrets only because they are in their partner’s bodies. It just made me sad because it’s hard enough having doubts about a relationship.
While the book might not have been a big win for me there was still a lot to love. The short chapters had me flying through the pages and the writing is full of banter and wit. Again, I think the premise is amazing and it was such a unique story that I found really refreshing after a few too many cookie cutter love stories.
🥳PUB DAY: SEP 24th
Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own.
I saw a few early reviews calling this a light read and I have to respectfully disagree. It’s not overly traumatic but there are some flashbacks that I found really depressing and one reveal in particular made me almost want to call it quits. There’s also a huge amount of miscommunication and the main characters fight constantly. And finally, because of the dual POV I had a hard time keeping track of who was talking or experiencing something post-body swap. I caught on eventually but it was a little tricky at times and not a book I’d mindlessly be able to read on a beach chair!
I strongly believe the right reader will love this book! For me personally, I hate when characters have big secrets and the reader is just waiting for something to blow up. Now imagine characters learning those secrets only because they are in their partner’s bodies. It just made me sad because it’s hard enough having doubts about a relationship.
While the book might not have been a big win for me there was still a lot to love. The short chapters had me flying through the pages and the writing is full of banter and wit. Again, I think the premise is amazing and it was such a unique story that I found really refreshing after a few too many cookie cutter love stories.
🥳PUB DAY: SEP 24th
Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2024
I've been reading this slowly for the past month-ish. Whenever lines are long at something this is the book I would open on my phone so I read a little sporadically but I was still able to get the plot pretty easily.
I love this concept, when I was younger freaky Friday was my favorite movie and when I saw this arc I was like "done I need this in my life" good beach read and fun but not thought-inducing or anything. I didn't love the character Amy.
I would rec if you are just in need of a book to read during a vacation
Thank you Net Gallery for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I love this concept, when I was younger freaky Friday was my favorite movie and when I saw this arc I was like "done I need this in my life" good beach read and fun but not thought-inducing or anything. I didn't love the character Amy.
I would rec if you are just in need of a book to read during a vacation
Thank you Net Gallery for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2024
I didn’t have high expectations for this one because I saw the reviews were mid before I even started….
But I found this to be very boring with little to no character development almost 80 pages in. The only real scene that happened through this point was a couple fighting in the car before they get “switched”.
A lot of flip flopping back and forth between perspective narrators and time frames, which felt too much like doing mental gymnastics for a story that just didn’t get off the ground.
But I found this to be very boring with little to no character development almost 80 pages in. The only real scene that happened through this point was a couple fighting in the car before they get “switched”.
A lot of flip flopping back and forth between perspective narrators and time frames, which felt too much like doing mental gymnastics for a story that just didn’t get off the ground.
May 29, 2025
Confusing and frustrating, and for what? Them to not even really get into their gender dynamics? Them to continue to lie to each other? I cannot imagine being so stuck on my secrets that I'd will myself to look foolish, and they're not even that bad secrets?
September 14, 2025
Je ne m’y attendais tellement pas ! J’ai beaucoup aimé l’histoire, le petit couple adorable et la lecture audio. C’était drôle et en même temps très touchant.
Flynn et Amy sont en couple depuis deux ans. Leur relation semble au beau fixe. Et pourtant, ça coince. Flynn vient de lui proposer de vivre ensemble, ce qui fait paniquer la jeune femme. Ils partent alors en week-end pour le mariage de sa sœur et ont un drôle d’accident sur la route. La foudre leur tombe dessus. Ils se relèvent dans la peau et la tête de l’autre ! Une catastrophe.
Et finalement, c’est un plan de seconde chance. Flynn et Amy vont affronter des situations qui les dépassent, qui vont virer en quiproquos et autres désastres. C’est horrible mais souvent drôle. Car dans le fond ils vont peu à peu s’obliger à prendre du recul, faire des efforts et envisager les choses différemment. Ce qui leur sera plus que profitable.
J’ai été agréablement surprise par cette lecture - dont la moyenne sur Goodreads est plutôt sévère, je ne comprends pas. On a pourtant dans cette histoire beaucoup d’humour, de vie, de joie, de réflexion positive, et je trouve qu’on n’a pas assez de comédie en littérature. Certes, tout n’est pas léger et superficiel non plus, le couple fait des erreurs (au cours des deux ans de leur relation, ils n’ont pas su communiquer sur leur passé par exemple). Et certaines révélations sont tout de même énormes !
Mais justement, comme c’est une comédie, le ton reste doux et bienveillant. C’était vraiment touchant de suivre la famille et les amis autour du couple de Flynn et Amy. Dommage qu’il manque un épilogue, je n’étais pas prête à les quitter ainsi. Évidemment je recommande cette chouette lecture notamment pour son lot d’émotions (rire et pleurer) qu’elle suscite. 😌
Flynn et Amy sont en couple depuis deux ans. Leur relation semble au beau fixe. Et pourtant, ça coince. Flynn vient de lui proposer de vivre ensemble, ce qui fait paniquer la jeune femme. Ils partent alors en week-end pour le mariage de sa sœur et ont un drôle d’accident sur la route. La foudre leur tombe dessus. Ils se relèvent dans la peau et la tête de l’autre ! Une catastrophe.
Et finalement, c’est un plan de seconde chance. Flynn et Amy vont affronter des situations qui les dépassent, qui vont virer en quiproquos et autres désastres. C’est horrible mais souvent drôle. Car dans le fond ils vont peu à peu s’obliger à prendre du recul, faire des efforts et envisager les choses différemment. Ce qui leur sera plus que profitable.
J’ai été agréablement surprise par cette lecture - dont la moyenne sur Goodreads est plutôt sévère, je ne comprends pas. On a pourtant dans cette histoire beaucoup d’humour, de vie, de joie, de réflexion positive, et je trouve qu’on n’a pas assez de comédie en littérature. Certes, tout n’est pas léger et superficiel non plus, le couple fait des erreurs (au cours des deux ans de leur relation, ils n’ont pas su communiquer sur leur passé par exemple). Et certaines révélations sont tout de même énormes !
Mais justement, comme c’est une comédie, le ton reste doux et bienveillant. C’était vraiment touchant de suivre la famille et les amis autour du couple de Flynn et Amy. Dommage qu’il manque un épilogue, je n’étais pas prête à les quitter ainsi. Évidemment je recommande cette chouette lecture notamment pour son lot d’émotions (rire et pleurer) qu’elle suscite. 😌
November 13, 2024
3.5
An interesting premise for a British romcom that has one couple on their way to a wedding getting struck by lightning only to find themselves suddenly in one another's bodies and unable to switch back. Forced to take part in the wedding activities posing as the other, secrets are revealed and they learn more about themselves as both a couple and individuals. This was cute and overall a light-hearted read. Would definitely recommend for fans of magical realism stories and authors like Beth O'Leary and it was also good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: closed door/kissing only
An interesting premise for a British romcom that has one couple on their way to a wedding getting struck by lightning only to find themselves suddenly in one another's bodies and unable to switch back. Forced to take part in the wedding activities posing as the other, secrets are revealed and they learn more about themselves as both a couple and individuals. This was cute and overall a light-hearted read. Would definitely recommend for fans of magical realism stories and authors like Beth O'Leary and it was also good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: closed door/kissing only
September 2, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh take on the body-swap storyline. There are plenty of laughs but also plenty of heartfelt emotions. It was tricky at times to keep track of who was narrating, but I got better as the story went on! In the end, this is a book about trying to understand and appreciate different perspectives, and I highly recommend it. Thanks to the publisher for sending me an advance copy!
November 11, 2024
Quick read which was nice but extremely confusing
August 17, 2025
A very interesting spin on what I would say freaky Friday vibes. a cute story line for sure
December 23, 2024
This book was cute. I saw a review that said they don't think flynn and amy would last but I would like to believe they do. I feel as if switching bodies and back really locks you in for life.
May 12, 2025
This was a cute story and exactly what you would expect from a young couple who gets swapped by lightening and their bodies get switched.
This is very much a Freaky Friday story.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Huge thanks to William Morrrow for my review copy!
This is very much a Freaky Friday story.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Huge thanks to William Morrrow for my review copy!
June 27, 2024
This is such fun! We meet Amy and Flynn, then Amy calls her sister and says: “He’s gurt lush” - a quick search tells me this is Bristol slang for ‘really lovely’ - just delightful!
Diving right in is the way to go - and the degree of difficulty must be about a 4 😮💨 No spoilers but this is a body swap romcom and author Cesca has done a fantastic job to kept it all on track - it’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close! Flynn and Amy get their bodies swapped in a thunderstorm and then they have to navigate Amy’s sister Laura’s wedding, even as their own relationship is at a crossroads. Flynn wants them to move up a level, Amy thinks she doesn’t really know him and maybe they are done.
The body swap is pretty tricky. We have to keep track of whose body/whose mind. It’s first person dual POV which helps us and Cesca is up for the funny side. It’s also closely observed how our physicality (and our gender) affect our confidence and place in the world.
As if that isn’t enough, we also have some flashbacks to their childhoods, the causes of unresolved grief and the unhelpful strategies they use to manage their pasts. Flynn twenty years ago breaks my heart 💔
While Amy and Flynn have built something together, there's so much unsaid and unresolved, so this body swap is a make or break for them, maybe literally as well… Yes, you’ll need to pay attention to who is doing what, but it’s so rewarding and so worthwhile. It’s closed door and largely set over the days of the wedding.
This clever romance reminds me of Beth O’Leary and Ashley Poston, whose plots can be technically difficult and also move between comedy and tragedy. Thank you NetGalley, Cesca Major and HarperCollins for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Diving right in is the way to go - and the degree of difficulty must be about a 4 😮💨 No spoilers but this is a body swap romcom and author Cesca has done a fantastic job to kept it all on track - it’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close! Flynn and Amy get their bodies swapped in a thunderstorm and then they have to navigate Amy’s sister Laura’s wedding, even as their own relationship is at a crossroads. Flynn wants them to move up a level, Amy thinks she doesn’t really know him and maybe they are done.
The body swap is pretty tricky. We have to keep track of whose body/whose mind. It’s first person dual POV which helps us and Cesca is up for the funny side. It’s also closely observed how our physicality (and our gender) affect our confidence and place in the world.
As if that isn’t enough, we also have some flashbacks to their childhoods, the causes of unresolved grief and the unhelpful strategies they use to manage their pasts. Flynn twenty years ago breaks my heart 💔
While Amy and Flynn have built something together, there's so much unsaid and unresolved, so this body swap is a make or break for them, maybe literally as well… Yes, you’ll need to pay attention to who is doing what, but it’s so rewarding and so worthwhile. It’s closed door and largely set over the days of the wedding.
This clever romance reminds me of Beth O’Leary and Ashley Poston, whose plots can be technically difficult and also move between comedy and tragedy. Thank you NetGalley, Cesca Major and HarperCollins for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
July 4, 2024
If I Were You is the second book I’ve read by Cesca Major, and it’s another that I really enjoyed. It’s a fresh new take on the body swap genre, featuring likeable characters and a realism that I wasn’t expecting. It explores several emotional themes and issues, and I was pleasantly surprised by how invested I found myself in Amy and Flynn’s lives.
I liked Amy and Flynn straight away, even before the unfortunate lightning-induced body swap, and I enjoyed learning about their pasts, both of which are peppered throughout the book. They’re both dealing with really difficult, complicated things, yet they found each other and compliment each other so well. They both grow and learn more about one another as they live in each other’s bodies, which also has hilarious consequences as it just so happens to be at Amy’s sister’s wedding!
If I Were You is a great read for anyone who likes fast-paced contemporary novels, especially those with a Freaky Friday-style twist. It’s heartfelt and relatable, with a thought-provoking premise and addictive writing. I’m already looking forward to Cesca Major’s next book, and I’m really hoping it’s as good as this and Maybe Next Time. Fingers crossed!
3.5/5.
I liked Amy and Flynn straight away, even before the unfortunate lightning-induced body swap, and I enjoyed learning about their pasts, both of which are peppered throughout the book. They’re both dealing with really difficult, complicated things, yet they found each other and compliment each other so well. They both grow and learn more about one another as they live in each other’s bodies, which also has hilarious consequences as it just so happens to be at Amy’s sister’s wedding!
If I Were You is a great read for anyone who likes fast-paced contemporary novels, especially those with a Freaky Friday-style twist. It’s heartfelt and relatable, with a thought-provoking premise and addictive writing. I’m already looking forward to Cesca Major’s next book, and I’m really hoping it’s as good as this and Maybe Next Time. Fingers crossed!
3.5/5.
September 24, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Cesca Major's new book, "If I Were You". This Reese's Book Club pick author (Maybe Next Time), is back with a romance version of Freaky Friday. Amy and Flynn are in an argument on their way to her sister's wedding and their circumstances find them switched in each other's body. How will they get through this whole weekend as each other, around people who know them so well? In addition, they find out that each of them is keeping secrets. There is laughter and tears along the way and beautiful lessons learned about the importance of family, friendship, trust and the mistakes we make when we jump to conclusions about the people who know us best. This book will make you smile. I can easily see this book adapted for the screen. Many thanks to HarperCollins Publishers, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.
April 23, 2024
I loved the idea of this. I've seen films with a body swap storyline but never read a book like that.
Initially, it was hard to get my head around, and I did keep getting confused, but once I'd sussed it out lol I really enjoyed it.
The characters were realistic and likeable, and it was easy to relate to how they were feeling emotionally.
I'd definitely recommend it to others. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my own honest review.
Initially, it was hard to get my head around, and I did keep getting confused, but once I'd sussed it out lol I really enjoyed it.
The characters were realistic and likeable, and it was easy to relate to how they were feeling emotionally.
I'd definitely recommend it to others. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my own honest review.
June 18, 2024
Rounded up from 2.5
Ok, it was really quite sweet. I appreciated the little tidbits of perspective Flynn and Amy gained from experiencing life as a different gender, but it felt a little self consciously done, occasionally shoe horned. And all just a bit too conveniently closed at the end. Totally fine, easy reading.
Ok, it was really quite sweet. I appreciated the little tidbits of perspective Flynn and Amy gained from experiencing life as a different gender, but it felt a little self consciously done, occasionally shoe horned. And all just a bit too conveniently closed at the end. Totally fine, easy reading.
October 5, 2024
Amy... In the story telling and in dialogues....it is difficult to follow the narrator when saying she or Amy. Is she ltalking about Flynn in Amy's body? Or is Amy, Amy in Flynn's body. Incredibly confusing.
And all the characters were pretty ugly.
Why couldn't they do a better job of impersonating the other person. It was like they lost their brains.
And all the characters were pretty ugly.
Why couldn't they do a better job of impersonating the other person. It was like they lost their brains.
September 8, 2024
This had the potential to be excellent - who doesn’t love Freaky Friday? While I did enjoy some aspects of the plot, honestly I think the FMC kind of ruined it for me because I just found her annoying.
The Plot
Flynn and Amy have been in a relationship for 2 years. Both have been feeling like their relationship is a bit ‘off’ lately, but this weekend they’re headed to the wedding of Amy’s sister and Flynn’s friend. On their way to the hotel the wedding is being held at, delays on the M4 cause them to take an alternate route to try and make it on time. After getting lost, the pair get into a heated argument which ends up with them both getting out of the car and yelling at each other in the rain. A clap of thunder and a freak lightning strike throws them both to the ground, and when they come to, they find that they’ve switched bodies.
Can they work together to get through the weekend, or will it end in disaster?
My Thoughts
So both characters had their faults - Flynn was keeping secrets about his past and evading discussions about it which, sure, sucks… but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him because Amy was awful imo.
Poor guy couldn’t do right for doing wrong, she was constantly shitting on his past and being snarky, rude and downright mean to him at times. Seriously, she constantly shit on him for going to private school as a kid… like he had a choice about where he was sent to school AND like there aren’t grants and scholarships to help pay for private school for disadvantaged students. She never stopped to ask him anything about how he went to the school or how he went, she just immediately jumped to ‘clearly his family are rich and he’s spoiled’ when that wasn’t the case. Sure, Flynn never said anything to change her mind about that and he could’ve, but given the way she treats him in this story I honestly don’t think it would’ve made a difference if he had said anything. Also, they’re both grown ass adults… why does it matter what school he went to as a child?
Amy just goes about her life making everything about her and shitting on anything outside of her experience. I honestly found her insufferable for 90% of this book, and we didn’t get any real character development or change from her until WAYYYY late in the story, and the development we do get is minute. Her entire character goes from “I hate everything and everyone, I’m going to be selfish and make everything about me and put others down if they don’t agree” to “huh maybe I should listen to people, I was wrong about some stuff”.
I really really hated her character and it definitely brought the rating down, but this will end up being a rant if I don’t move on, so I’ll start talking about other aspects of this story now… but just know that there is SO MUCH MORE I could say about Amy’s character.
I actually did quite like Finn’s character. I felt his development throughout the story was much better than Amy’s, he actually realised his mistakes and tried to set things right. He actually made changes and put in a lot of effort to make sure things went well with the wedding. Did he mess up at times and make things worse? Of course he did. The difference is though, he was actually trying, putting in effort, and genuinely felt guilty when he messed up and tried to fix things. All the while Amy was there trying to see the worst in him, making negative (and incorrect) assumptions, and putting him down every time he made an effort.
The writing was nice, the book was easy to read and although a little cheesy at times it was that nice kind of cheesy that makes it endearing rather than cringe. Overall, an okay read.
The Plot
Flynn and Amy have been in a relationship for 2 years. Both have been feeling like their relationship is a bit ‘off’ lately, but this weekend they’re headed to the wedding of Amy’s sister and Flynn’s friend. On their way to the hotel the wedding is being held at, delays on the M4 cause them to take an alternate route to try and make it on time. After getting lost, the pair get into a heated argument which ends up with them both getting out of the car and yelling at each other in the rain. A clap of thunder and a freak lightning strike throws them both to the ground, and when they come to, they find that they’ve switched bodies.
Can they work together to get through the weekend, or will it end in disaster?
My Thoughts
So both characters had their faults - Flynn was keeping secrets about his past and evading discussions about it which, sure, sucks… but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him because Amy was awful imo.
Poor guy couldn’t do right for doing wrong, she was constantly shitting on his past and being snarky, rude and downright mean to him at times. Seriously, she constantly shit on him for going to private school as a kid… like he had a choice about where he was sent to school AND like there aren’t grants and scholarships to help pay for private school for disadvantaged students. She never stopped to ask him anything about how he went to the school or how he went, she just immediately jumped to ‘clearly his family are rich and he’s spoiled’ when that wasn’t the case. Sure, Flynn never said anything to change her mind about that and he could’ve, but given the way she treats him in this story I honestly don’t think it would’ve made a difference if he had said anything. Also, they’re both grown ass adults… why does it matter what school he went to as a child?
Amy just goes about her life making everything about her and shitting on anything outside of her experience. I honestly found her insufferable for 90% of this book, and we didn’t get any real character development or change from her until WAYYYY late in the story, and the development we do get is minute. Her entire character goes from “I hate everything and everyone, I’m going to be selfish and make everything about me and put others down if they don’t agree” to “huh maybe I should listen to people, I was wrong about some stuff”.
I really really hated her character and it definitely brought the rating down, but this will end up being a rant if I don’t move on, so I’ll start talking about other aspects of this story now… but just know that there is SO MUCH MORE I could say about Amy’s character.
I actually did quite like Finn’s character. I felt his development throughout the story was much better than Amy’s, he actually realised his mistakes and tried to set things right. He actually made changes and put in a lot of effort to make sure things went well with the wedding. Did he mess up at times and make things worse? Of course he did. The difference is though, he was actually trying, putting in effort, and genuinely felt guilty when he messed up and tried to fix things. All the while Amy was there trying to see the worst in him, making negative (and incorrect) assumptions, and putting him down every time he made an effort.
The writing was nice, the book was easy to read and although a little cheesy at times it was that nice kind of cheesy that makes it endearing rather than cringe. Overall, an okay read.
December 28, 2024
Bij het zien van deze roman in de najaar-catalogus van Boekerij wist ik het al zeker, deze roman wilde ik lezen. Door Uitgeverij Boekerij ben ik ook nog eens verwend met een recensie-exemplaar van deze roman. Het boek heeft een strakke maar wel opvallende en vrolijke cover. Door de donkerblauwe achtergrond met de witte titel en de twee flamingo's spatten deze dan ook van de cover af. Ik hoop op een pakkend, mooi en goed verhaal.
Amy en Flynn houden van elkaar. Ze lopen alleen tegen één groot probleem aan, ze kunnen elkaars gedachten niet lezen. Ze zijn al twee jaar bij elkaar. Ze hebben het leuk samen, maar de relatie begint ook scheuren te vertonen. Amy heeft soms het gevoel alsof zij en Flynn van een andere planeet komen en twijfelt erover om een punt te zetten achter hun relatie. Dat terwijl Flynn grote plannen heeft voor hun toekomst samen. Terwijl ze onderweg zijn naar het huwelijksweekend van de zus van Amy, weten ze nog niet dat hun relatie zo wankelt. Ze worden door een bliksemschicht getroffen en wisselen hierdoor van elkaars lichaam. Nu moeten ze het weekend in elkaars hoofd door zien te komen. De chaos wordt nog groter als ze beiden een groot geheim uit elkaars verleden ontdekken. Zelfs als ze het voor elkaar krijgen om in hun eigen lichaam terug te keren, zou dan de relatie nog stand houden?
Wat een leuk, verrassend en tof verhaal. Cesca Major heeft een levendige, vlotte en krachtige schrijfstijl en een heerlijk gevoel voor humor. Persoonlijk zou ik dit boek wat meer onder een feelgood plaatsen dan een roman, aangezien het een luchtig, grappig en leuk verhaal is wat ontzettend gemakkelijk leest.
We lezen het verhaal van Amy en Flynn, beide personages zijn met gevoel, aandacht en finesse uitgewerkt. Ondanks dat het twee hele verschillende persoonlijkheden zijn, kan je gemakkelijk met hen meegaan in hun visie en kijk op de gebeurtenissen en weten ze beide in je hart te kruipen. Ondanks dat het best redelijk realistische personages zijn, heeft Cesca Major ze in hun gedrag wel een klein beetje weten aan te dikken, wat het verhaal net wat komischer en grappiger maakt.
De verhaallijn heeft een leuke opbouw en wisselt tussen het verhaal dat zich in het heden op chronologische volgorde afspeelt, soms terug in het verleden van de twee. Hierdoor weet Cesca Major je net wat extra stukjes informatie te geven, wat een mooie verrijking is op de gebeurtenissen in de verhaallijn. Ondanks dat natuurlijk de gebeurtenis, alles behalve realistisch is, heeft Cesca Major de gebeurtenis wel zo weten neer te zetten en past het zo in de verhaallijn dat je geen moment twijfelt aan de geloofwaardigheid. Wat ik erg goed vind aan deze roman is dat naast de verhaallijn en de liefde tussen Amy en Flynn er genoeg gebeurtenissen op de zijlijn mee spelen die het verhaal mooi aanvullen. Zeker de verschillende familieleden, maar ook de geheimen van hen die aan het licht komen maken het verhaal echt tot een pakkend, boeiend en erg leuk en goed verhaal. Uiteindelijk volgt er een feelgood einde en sluit het verhaal erg mooi af.
Als ik jou was is een pakkende, mooie en verrassende roman. Cesca Major heeft een heerlijke vlotte, levendige en luchtige schrijfstijl en een erg goed gevoel voor humor. Het verhaal bevat leuk uitgewerkte personages en de verhaallijn is pakkend, erg vermakelijk en zit erg goed in elkaar. Tot aan het einde weet het verhaal je in zijn greep te houden. Erg leuk!!
Amy en Flynn houden van elkaar. Ze lopen alleen tegen één groot probleem aan, ze kunnen elkaars gedachten niet lezen. Ze zijn al twee jaar bij elkaar. Ze hebben het leuk samen, maar de relatie begint ook scheuren te vertonen. Amy heeft soms het gevoel alsof zij en Flynn van een andere planeet komen en twijfelt erover om een punt te zetten achter hun relatie. Dat terwijl Flynn grote plannen heeft voor hun toekomst samen. Terwijl ze onderweg zijn naar het huwelijksweekend van de zus van Amy, weten ze nog niet dat hun relatie zo wankelt. Ze worden door een bliksemschicht getroffen en wisselen hierdoor van elkaars lichaam. Nu moeten ze het weekend in elkaars hoofd door zien te komen. De chaos wordt nog groter als ze beiden een groot geheim uit elkaars verleden ontdekken. Zelfs als ze het voor elkaar krijgen om in hun eigen lichaam terug te keren, zou dan de relatie nog stand houden?
Wat een leuk, verrassend en tof verhaal. Cesca Major heeft een levendige, vlotte en krachtige schrijfstijl en een heerlijk gevoel voor humor. Persoonlijk zou ik dit boek wat meer onder een feelgood plaatsen dan een roman, aangezien het een luchtig, grappig en leuk verhaal is wat ontzettend gemakkelijk leest.
We lezen het verhaal van Amy en Flynn, beide personages zijn met gevoel, aandacht en finesse uitgewerkt. Ondanks dat het twee hele verschillende persoonlijkheden zijn, kan je gemakkelijk met hen meegaan in hun visie en kijk op de gebeurtenissen en weten ze beide in je hart te kruipen. Ondanks dat het best redelijk realistische personages zijn, heeft Cesca Major ze in hun gedrag wel een klein beetje weten aan te dikken, wat het verhaal net wat komischer en grappiger maakt.
De verhaallijn heeft een leuke opbouw en wisselt tussen het verhaal dat zich in het heden op chronologische volgorde afspeelt, soms terug in het verleden van de twee. Hierdoor weet Cesca Major je net wat extra stukjes informatie te geven, wat een mooie verrijking is op de gebeurtenissen in de verhaallijn. Ondanks dat natuurlijk de gebeurtenis, alles behalve realistisch is, heeft Cesca Major de gebeurtenis wel zo weten neer te zetten en past het zo in de verhaallijn dat je geen moment twijfelt aan de geloofwaardigheid. Wat ik erg goed vind aan deze roman is dat naast de verhaallijn en de liefde tussen Amy en Flynn er genoeg gebeurtenissen op de zijlijn mee spelen die het verhaal mooi aanvullen. Zeker de verschillende familieleden, maar ook de geheimen van hen die aan het licht komen maken het verhaal echt tot een pakkend, boeiend en erg leuk en goed verhaal. Uiteindelijk volgt er een feelgood einde en sluit het verhaal erg mooi af.
Als ik jou was is een pakkende, mooie en verrassende roman. Cesca Major heeft een heerlijke vlotte, levendige en luchtige schrijfstijl en een erg goed gevoel voor humor. Het verhaal bevat leuk uitgewerkte personages en de verhaallijn is pakkend, erg vermakelijk en zit erg goed in elkaar. Tot aan het einde weet het verhaal je in zijn greep te houden. Erg leuk!!
August 28, 2024
What would it be like to truly see life from someone else's point of view?
That is exactly what happens to Flynn and Amy.
Together for two years, they are both wondering, what happened to that magical connection they once had?
While preparing to leave for Amy's sisters big wedding in the countryside, things begin to crumble for Amy and Flynn. Amy is stressed she won't live up to her Chief Bridesmaid duties and can't disappoint her sister Laura this weekend.
Flynn is worried. He feels Amy pulling away from him. He's desperate to hold on to this relationship.
On the way to the wedding venue things between Amy and Flynn go stratospheric.
Amy and Flynn don't understand how it happened or how to fix it. One thing they do understand?
Amy is in Flynn's body. And Flynn...yeah. He's in Amy's body.
Desperate to keep up the charade that all is normal, both are forced to acknowledge certain truths about one another. Can they survive this weekend? Will they want their relationship to survive once they truly see one another?
Why did I enjoy this story? Cesca Major doesn't disappoint with this one. Witty, real, and legit explosive, this story reminds us that loving someone can be difficult. That it's getting through the walls we put up that make love truly spectacular.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Maybe the art of true love is not finding the perfect person, but about seeing the imperfect person perfectly."
That is exactly what happens to Flynn and Amy.
Together for two years, they are both wondering, what happened to that magical connection they once had?
While preparing to leave for Amy's sisters big wedding in the countryside, things begin to crumble for Amy and Flynn. Amy is stressed she won't live up to her Chief Bridesmaid duties and can't disappoint her sister Laura this weekend.
Flynn is worried. He feels Amy pulling away from him. He's desperate to hold on to this relationship.
On the way to the wedding venue things between Amy and Flynn go stratospheric.
Amy and Flynn don't understand how it happened or how to fix it. One thing they do understand?
Amy is in Flynn's body. And Flynn...yeah. He's in Amy's body.
Desperate to keep up the charade that all is normal, both are forced to acknowledge certain truths about one another. Can they survive this weekend? Will they want their relationship to survive once they truly see one another?
Why did I enjoy this story? Cesca Major doesn't disappoint with this one. Witty, real, and legit explosive, this story reminds us that loving someone can be difficult. That it's getting through the walls we put up that make love truly spectacular.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Maybe the art of true love is not finding the perfect person, but about seeing the imperfect person perfectly."
June 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book! Amy and Flynn are a light-hearted couple that come to find out, don’t know a lot of personal details about each other, even after 2 years of dating. After getting into an argument on the way to her sister’s wedding, Amy thinks that they just don’t understand each other. It’s storming out and the energy from the lightening they switch bodies. After getting over the initial shock, they proceed with the weekend, but it definitely was not easy. After many instances of finding out parts of information about the other person, it becomes apparent that they have some things that need to be discussed. Once they learned more details about each other they had a new appreciation and understanding for each other. At the end of the wedding night, fireworks helped them to get back into their correct bodies.
All in all I feel like it was a little drawn out and could have been about 20 chapters shorter than it was, but it was a fast-paced read and I was able to finish it in 1 week. I did find it confusing at some points to remember whose point of view I was reading and the body that went along with that persons thoughts.
All in all I feel like it was a little drawn out and could have been about 20 chapters shorter than it was, but it was a fast-paced read and I was able to finish it in 1 week. I did find it confusing at some points to remember whose point of view I was reading and the body that went along with that persons thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2024
So I enjoyed this one. But also idk, something just didn’t work.
This book is a freaky Friday type story. Amy and Flynn wind up in each others’ bodies on the way to Amy’s sister’s wedding. They have to somehow get through the weekend.
The book jumps between present and some times in the past. Showing us situations that were meaningful for both Amy and Flynn.
Flynn wants to take their relationship to the next step. But Amy has reservations. She feels like she doesn’t know Flynn well.
Throughout the weekend, they must grapple with being each other and also learning things about their pasts.
I feel like this story had potential. But it felt a little all over the place. I think it could have used some editing. You kept waiting for all the information to be shared. To learn more about Amy and Flynn. I also didn’t feel like I got a feel for Amy and a Flynn as a couple before the weekend to make me want to root for them.
Overall this gave me just enough to keep me reading. But it isn’t a stand out.
This book is a freaky Friday type story. Amy and Flynn wind up in each others’ bodies on the way to Amy’s sister’s wedding. They have to somehow get through the weekend.
The book jumps between present and some times in the past. Showing us situations that were meaningful for both Amy and Flynn.
Flynn wants to take their relationship to the next step. But Amy has reservations. She feels like she doesn’t know Flynn well.
Throughout the weekend, they must grapple with being each other and also learning things about their pasts.
I feel like this story had potential. But it felt a little all over the place. I think it could have used some editing. You kept waiting for all the information to be shared. To learn more about Amy and Flynn. I also didn’t feel like I got a feel for Amy and a Flynn as a couple before the weekend to make me want to root for them.
Overall this gave me just enough to keep me reading. But it isn’t a stand out.
November 17, 2024
Flynn en Amy werden jaren geleden door bliksem getroffen wanneer ze elkaar voor het eerst ontmoetten, figuurlijk dan toch. Jaren later overkomt hen precies hetzelfde, maar dan letterlijk. Het gaat al een tijdje wat minder goed en alsof het universum wil dat ze zich kunnen inleven in de gevoelens van de ander, treft de bliksem hen. Beiden worden wakker in het lichaam van de ander. Benieuwd of ze ook dit soort storm overleven.
‘Als ik jou was’ is een vermakelijk tussendoortje, een hartverwarmende feelgood die je makkelijk wegleest. Ik grijp niet snel naar feelgood in de bibliotheek maar de cover trok mijn aandacht. Ik ben daar vaak vatbaar voor.
Deze mierzoete feelgood leest als een typisch Amerikaanse romcom. Het verbaasde me dan ook weinig om in het dankwoord te lezen dat ze momenteel aan een verfilming van het boek werken. Dat vatte een beetje mijn leeservaring samen. Het boek was af en toe grappig, licht om te lezen en je leeft je heel makkelijk in de personages in. Al bij al dus een prima feelgood, een ideaal tussendoortje.
‘Als ik jou was’ is een vermakelijk tussendoortje, een hartverwarmende feelgood die je makkelijk wegleest. Ik grijp niet snel naar feelgood in de bibliotheek maar de cover trok mijn aandacht. Ik ben daar vaak vatbaar voor.
Deze mierzoete feelgood leest als een typisch Amerikaanse romcom. Het verbaasde me dan ook weinig om in het dankwoord te lezen dat ze momenteel aan een verfilming van het boek werken. Dat vatte een beetje mijn leeservaring samen. Het boek was af en toe grappig, licht om te lezen en je leeft je heel makkelijk in de personages in. Al bij al dus een prima feelgood, een ideaal tussendoortje.
July 15, 2024
Amy and Flynn experience a bizarre twist of fate when they’re struck by lightning and switch bodies, Freaky Friday style, en route to Amy’s sister’s wedding.
Determined not to upstage the bride, they clumsily navigate the weekend pretending nothing’s amiss. As they do, they’re forced to confront old secrets and personal insecurities, which allows them to gain a better understanding of each other.
This fun premise is told from a dual POV, which can be a bit confusing at times given the body switch. The switch leads to some humorous moments and some that give you secondhand anxiety.
I breezed through the book, appreciating the unique concept, even though I found several of the characters less likable and the story less compelling than I’d hoped.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Determined not to upstage the bride, they clumsily navigate the weekend pretending nothing’s amiss. As they do, they’re forced to confront old secrets and personal insecurities, which allows them to gain a better understanding of each other.
This fun premise is told from a dual POV, which can be a bit confusing at times given the body switch. The switch leads to some humorous moments and some that give you secondhand anxiety.
I breezed through the book, appreciating the unique concept, even though I found several of the characters less likable and the story less compelling than I’d hoped.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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