Double Shot of Living

by Natasha Von Imhof

Fifty-one-year-old Lynn Robert's gets a second chance at life after she is killed in a car crash and wakes up in the body of a teenage girl. Shocked, she calls her husband. After hearing him say his wife is dead, Lynn does an internet search, finds her obituary online, and realizes her old life is gone forever. Now, without knowing what else to do, she is forced to face her new life. High school is pretty much what she remembers it to be-bullies, Algebra, and finding a part-time job. Despite fitting in, one question stays on her mind. Why was she chosen to be part of a cosmic mind and body swap? Double Shot of Living is women's fiction at its best with a touch of magic realism that nudges readers to wonder about the things they would do differently if given a second chance.

Genres: Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Bonnie Brody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel by Natsha Von Imhof is interesting and well-written. The narrative is told in the first person from the perspective of Lynn, a successful middle-aged woman who dies in a traffic accident while driving under the influence. Miraculously, she wakes up to find herself in the body of a high school student about whom we know nothing. As she searches for the meaning of this miracle, she navigates her new life. Her memories, experiences, and wisdom are those she's gained in her 50 years but she is now housed in a young teenage body. Lynn must adjust to all the Sturm and Drang of contemporary high school years.

The narrative describes a very human protagonist trying to find and know herself, all the while embedded in the moral issues of her environment. She tries hard to be a good person and to honor her second chance at life. Even though she stumbles, she proves to have a good heart.

I appreciated the character development in this novel. As I read, I wondered what would happen to the protagonist and her situation. Lynn thinks like a middle-aged woman but makes some errors of judgment more plausible to her biological age.

The dichotomy of a wise, experienced, and successful woman in a teenager's body is a difficult theme to pull off. Ms. Von Imhof writes convincingly and with true depth of characterization.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn has a second chance at life, gaining thirty-five years of experience in this new body. Renaming herself as Lindy, she decides to attempt to make sense of her situation while living as normal a life as she can as a teenager, starting with her education. As Lindy gains a new start in life, she still reflects on her past family life as she partakes in activities that bring her close to her husband and children. The story follows Lindy's journey as she takes this change by storm and makes sure she is in the best position she can be to survive her new life, predominantly set in school.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mistress Of Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former senator from Alaska and debut novelist Imhof brings the gavel down on her first stab as an author. The tale of Lynn Roberts and what happens when she has too many shots is one I believe most people could relate to. Life had gotten turned upside down after being married for years with Lynn challenging her status in life and where she stood with her husband. Her state of mind leads to a driving under the fluence accident that proves to be fatal—for Lynn. When she realizes she has been zapped into a teenager’s body, at first she is disbelieving, angry, and finally reconciled that she can’t go back to her former life. Instead, she tolerates her new life and changes the young teenager who had been overlooked by almost everyone into a young woman with ideals and a determination to make something out of this second life she’s been given. As Lindy Pickard, Lynn strives to fit in with her peers, and finds that her previous learning is a boon for being noticed by teachers, and her goal to stay in shape does more than make her feel better, and changing the body she ended up in, does wonders for her self-esteem. At this point readers could think Lindy’s life will be sunshine and roses but as we all know roses have thorns and can rip you apart. As any teenager life can be dicey, but being a second-time teen is something that would make some of us pull out our hair. I applaud how Natasha Von Imhof shows a true-to-life scenario of what could happen if you end up in a body swap. Lynn’s new life does not mirror a movie when it comes to a switch, but clings to the problems and what a teenager goes through. I loved this story from the first page until I closed the book. I have noticed others who have voiced a desire to see more from this author and Lindy. I agree completely with them. Pick up your copy today.

[RavenReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately hooked by Double Shot of Living by Natasha Von Imhof because it offered one of my favorite speculative fiction tropes: playing with time and second chances.

The premise consists of an alcoholic who dies in a drunk driving accident and wakes up in the body of her high school self. From there, the story asks a deceptively simple question: what would you do if you got to live your life over again, but with all the knowledge, regret, and perspective of the person you’ve already become?

There’s so much to love here. The characters feel fully realized, with a great mix of likable (sometimes even lovable) and frustratingly human personalities. No one feels one note, which makes the emotional stakes land that much harder.

What really stood out to me was the layer of self reflection woven throughout the story. It’s impossible not to put yourself in the protagonist’s place (especially us older readers) and wonder what choices you might change, or whether you’d end up making the same mistakes all over again. That tension gives the book a quiet depth that lingers beyond the page.

While the story is ultimately sweet and hopeful, it never tips into being overly saccharine or cozy. There are darker, more morbid moments that ground the narrative and add real emotional weight, balancing out the optimism of a “second chance” storyline. Overall, this is a thoughtful, engaging read that blends heart, regret, and hope in a way that feels both honest and satisfying.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Natasha Von Imhof, and Atmosphere Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader’s copy of “Double Shot of Living” from NetGalley and read it in a few hours. I’m providing my review voluntarily. The book’s premise is extremely interesting: how would one behave after spending fifty years of life accumulating knowledge and wisdom, enjoying a loving marriage and good relationships with one’s nearly adult-aged children and experiencing life’s complexities if one suddenly was forced to live life again but in a different body, under a different name, and under different life circumstances as a teenager without forgetting anything about one’s previous life? Is it possible? How does one cope? How does a person who looks like a teenager but who has the mind of a middle aged person interact with others? And, most importantly, perhaps for the individual at issue, why is this necessary? “Double Shot of Living” makes a reasonably convincing stab at answering these questions, after you accept the premise that any of it actually is possible. It shows that no matter what age one is, people are fallible and make mistakes, but also, people can learn from their mistakes and can choose to improve themselves and make the world better for themselves and for others.

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the concept of this one but unfortunately the execution left me feeling very deflated. At times, the writing was so juvenile I kept stopping to check which audience this was being marketed towards.

If you died and woke up in a stranger's body you would have an absolute MELTDOWN. You wouldn't just crack on with your new life as though your old one doesn't exist. It just wasn't plausible enough - even for speculative fiction.

[Ral West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique, entertaining and thought provoking story

I was intrigued right from the start, and the story kept me interested and enthralled. Great job on a first novel. I hope there are more to come!

[tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being completely honest I almost DNF’d. The beginning wasn’t the best and it felt like a lot telling. Overall it was a quick easy read but really there was no plot. No engagement with Lindy, etc.