Not Quite Myself: The hilarious romantic comedy fiction novel with body swap chaos perfect for fans of David Nicholls

by Mike Gayle, Claire Gayle

‘Funny, wince-inducing and utterly original’ Jojo Moyes

‘Freaky Friday gets a midlife glow up’ Alexandra Potter

‘Feel-good and tear jerking’ Lisa Jewell

‘Both funny and unexpectedly emotional’ Jill Mansell

*****

What's worse than waking up in your husband's body? He's just woken up in yours …I always thought I knew my husband.

After twenty-four years of marriage, I thought I had Paul completely figured out. I knew his habits, his silences, his stubbornness. I knew exactly how he'd react when I told him I wanted a trial separation.

What I didn't know – what I couldn't possibly have predicted – was that the morning after I said those words, I would wake up as him.

Not metaphorically. I mean I literally woke up inside my husband's body. Six foot two. Broad shoulders. And other parts I'd rather not discuss.

Somewhere across town, Paul has woken up as me.

This is way more problematic than a broken marriage. But we’re going to have to work together to figure it out …

*****

‘Comedy gold’ Clare Chambers

‘Warm, funny and oh-so-relatable, Mike and Claire have smashed it out of the park with this one!’ Paige Toon

‘It’s clever, funny and unexpectedly moving – I loved it!’ Fiona Gibson

‘Hugely original, gloriously entertaining but at all times brimful with empathy and heart. This novel has everything – and more’ Freya North

‘Hilarious and warm, this book is sure to have readers laughing out loud.’ Beth O'Leary

‘Legitimately genius, I had the best time reading it… The concept is brilliant and the writing is revealing, relatable and magical – in all the ways’ Lucy Vine

‘Freaky Friday grows up’ Natasha Poliszczuk

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 11, 2027

About the author

I was born in the 70s — the 70s were great. I would recommend them to anyone.

I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.

I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.

I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs).

Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.

After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.

My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.)

I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.

Reviews

[Christopher Sealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, funny, kept me wanting to know what would happen next, a great feel good story.