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When I Was You: The utterly addictive psychological thriller about obsession and revenge
Sve je počelo jednog običnog jesenjeg jutra, kada je Keli Medina primila poziv pedijatra svog sina, kako bi potvrdila termin za pregled bebe. To je greška, jer njen je sin pre godinu dana otišao na koledž, a Keli nikada nije bila tako usamljena. Ispostavlja se da se još jedna majka u gradu zove Keli Medina, i verovatno su pomešali njihove brojeve telefona.
Ali Keli ne može da prestane da razmišlja o toj tajanstvenoj ženi istog imena. Živi u istom gradu. Ima sina kojeg i dalje može da drži u naručju. I čitav život pred sobom. Svuda je traži: u prodavnicama, u teretani, na društvenim mrežama. Kada kao slučajno naleti na nju ispred ordinacije pedijatra, radoznalost će je potpuno savladati.
Njihovo neobično prijateljstvo doneće Keli osećaj da ponovo ima svrhu, dok brine o toj mladoj ženi i njenom predivnom malom dečaku. Ali prijateljstvo ubrzo prerasta u opsesiju – i kada jedna Keli nestane, ova druga možda zna zašto.
Ali Keli ne može da prestane da razmišlja o toj tajanstvenoj ženi istog imena. Živi u istom gradu. Ima sina kojeg i dalje može da drži u naručju. I čitav život pred sobom. Svuda je traži: u prodavnicama, u teretani, na društvenim mrežama. Kada kao slučajno naleti na nju ispred ordinacije pedijatra, radoznalost će je potpuno savladati.
Njihovo neobično prijateljstvo doneće Keli osećaj da ponovo ima svrhu, dok brine o toj mladoj ženi i njenom predivnom malom dečaku. Ali prijateljstvo ubrzo prerasta u opsesiju – i kada jedna Keli nestane, ova druga možda zna zašto.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
669 people are currently reading
29006 people want to read
About the author
Amber Garza
53 books1,403 followersAmber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California, which is also home to another Amber Garza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,055 reviews
December 10, 2021
Applause as loud as you can and make some noise till your neighbors suffer from ear bleeding because we have skilled, evil genius, ultra smart author in literature town who can write a hell of a marvelous, gripping, heart throbbing, soul shaker, dazzling novel!
Did she play us with her well-organized, detailed, evil-ish mind games? Sure, she did. Well-played, well-done! She made me fool, tricked me so well misdirected my spidey senses ( I think they’re out of order right now but as soon as quarantine over I’ll replace them with better versions!)
From the beginning, did we clearly understand what is real and what is delusional? I honestly had no idea and if it makes me a moron, I’m proud of being one because it was so entertainingly cunning and surprising story including so many twists and surprises centered around two characters who share the same name which makes it more and more interesting!
Before giving my extraordinary, helluva crazy train ride, I didn’t see that punch coming and I didn’t expect somebody pull the rug from under me and hurt my back so bad when I hit the floor five stars, I want to give some short clues about this deliciously nerve bending plot:
We have a broken and traumatized protagonist named Kelly Medina who is living at her house by herself, surrounded by good friends, a little estranged relationship with her husband who is a workaholic professor and her 19 years old son who never comes back to their family house. Her life changes with a phone call from pediatrician’s office tells her about her appointment time with her baby which makes her realize she shares the same name with a woman.
Then she appears at the same time of their appointment out of the pediatrician’s office to meet with her and slowly she starts fixating Kelly and her son Sullivan which makes her friends more worried about her mental health and they keep asking her if Kelly is real person or if she connects with her little baby without her consent which makes us question about our protagonist’s psychological condition because everybody treats her with kid gloves and her husband acts suspicious around her judging his wife’s motives.
As Kelly spends more time with young Kelly and Sullivan her fixation gets extremer and she turns into Josephine Goldberg ( batshit crazy Auntie version of our dear Joe) starts stalking her each move and she finally decides young Kelly doesn’t deserve to be Sullivan’s mother and what happens if she takes over her place?
I’m stopping right here but I assure things will get crazier and you couldn’t put this book down and admire the talent of the author. As far as I can see Amber Garza mostly wrote high school romance books but I have to admit she shines brilliantly with her new choice of genre! I cannot wait to read upcoming works of her in near future.
Special thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN Trade Publishing/ MIRA for sharing this nail biter ARC with me in exchange my honest review. I truly had an amazing time! Cheers!
Did she play us with her well-organized, detailed, evil-ish mind games? Sure, she did. Well-played, well-done! She made me fool, tricked me so well misdirected my spidey senses ( I think they’re out of order right now but as soon as quarantine over I’ll replace them with better versions!)
From the beginning, did we clearly understand what is real and what is delusional? I honestly had no idea and if it makes me a moron, I’m proud of being one because it was so entertainingly cunning and surprising story including so many twists and surprises centered around two characters who share the same name which makes it more and more interesting!
Before giving my extraordinary, helluva crazy train ride, I didn’t see that punch coming and I didn’t expect somebody pull the rug from under me and hurt my back so bad when I hit the floor five stars, I want to give some short clues about this deliciously nerve bending plot:
We have a broken and traumatized protagonist named Kelly Medina who is living at her house by herself, surrounded by good friends, a little estranged relationship with her husband who is a workaholic professor and her 19 years old son who never comes back to their family house. Her life changes with a phone call from pediatrician’s office tells her about her appointment time with her baby which makes her realize she shares the same name with a woman.
Then she appears at the same time of their appointment out of the pediatrician’s office to meet with her and slowly she starts fixating Kelly and her son Sullivan which makes her friends more worried about her mental health and they keep asking her if Kelly is real person or if she connects with her little baby without her consent which makes us question about our protagonist’s psychological condition because everybody treats her with kid gloves and her husband acts suspicious around her judging his wife’s motives.
As Kelly spends more time with young Kelly and Sullivan her fixation gets extremer and she turns into Josephine Goldberg ( batshit crazy Auntie version of our dear Joe) starts stalking her each move and she finally decides young Kelly doesn’t deserve to be Sullivan’s mother and what happens if she takes over her place?
I’m stopping right here but I assure things will get crazier and you couldn’t put this book down and admire the talent of the author. As far as I can see Amber Garza mostly wrote high school romance books but I have to admit she shines brilliantly with her new choice of genre! I cannot wait to read upcoming works of her in near future.
Special thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN Trade Publishing/ MIRA for sharing this nail biter ARC with me in exchange my honest review. I truly had an amazing time! Cheers!
April 23, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up **
...this up-all-night psychological thriller about a lonely empty-nester's growing obsession with a young mother who shares her name.
The line above, from the publisher's synopsis, certainly caught my attention and I'm extremely thankful it did!
Kelly Medina is the empty-nester mentioned. Kelly Medina is also the young woman who arrives in town and shakes things up.
The main Kelly, I will refer to her as 'our Kelly' from this point forward, is adjusting to life with her only son, Aaron, gone from home. Her husband, Raphael, is not around much either, as his job keeps him away during the week and even some weekends.
Because of this, our Kelly spends a lot of time alone and to be honest, she's struggling.
Feeling increasingly lonely and isolated, one day she receives a phone call that will change everything.
The call is from Aaron's pediatrician's office, with a reminder of his upcoming well-baby appointment.
Kelly tries to laugh it off with the receptionist. Obviously, it's a mistake, her son is in college, years beyond any need for a well-baby appointment.
The lady apologizes profusely. Apparently, there is another Kelly Medina in the area and their numbers must have gotten mixed up in the system.
Our Kelly is taken aback. Another woman, sharing her same name, in the same area, with a baby.
In the coming hours, it's all she can think about. Imagining who this young woman is and what her life must be like. It all seems too strange.
The whole incident has shaken her. Arriving later at the gym to meet her best friend, Christine, for a yoga class, she has forgotten her membership card.
When the desk clerk looks her up in the system, she comments on how funny it is that another Kelly Medina was there that very morning for a workout.
Now the girl is invading her gym space? Who is this person?
That's all it takes for Kelly to become obsessed with finding out more about the other Kelly.
After several attempts at online stalking, our Kelly realizes the best way to actually find the other Kelly would be to go to the well-baby appointment that started it all.
That's exactly what she does. The rest of the story goes from there and let me tell you, you are in for a WILD RIDE!!
I had so much fun reading When I Was You!
Once I got into the story, I could not put it down. I can definitely see why the publisher chose to describe it as an, up-all-night Psychological Thriller!
Garza added some epic twists. I couldn't believe what I was reading. My goodness.
My jaw hit the floor so many times! It was a bloody fantastic.
I don't think I have had this much fun reading a Thriller since the first B.A. Paris novel I read, Behind Closed Doors.
And like that novel, When I Was You, is not perfect. Personally though, I feel like any tiny flaws were completely made up for with the perfectly plotted story.
I hope that Amber Garza continues to write in this genre. I really look forward to getting more of this type of story from her.
This is wildly imaginative. It went some places, guys, I was shocked. Just when you think you have hit the crazy limit, another revelation comes to light!
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a twisty-turny, compulsively readable Psychological Thriller.
Once you pick it up, it will be hard to put it down, so clear your calendar!
Thank you so, so much to the publisher, Harlequin MIRA, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I had so, so, so much fun reading it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
...this up-all-night psychological thriller about a lonely empty-nester's growing obsession with a young mother who shares her name.
The line above, from the publisher's synopsis, certainly caught my attention and I'm extremely thankful it did!
Kelly Medina is the empty-nester mentioned. Kelly Medina is also the young woman who arrives in town and shakes things up.
The main Kelly, I will refer to her as 'our Kelly' from this point forward, is adjusting to life with her only son, Aaron, gone from home. Her husband, Raphael, is not around much either, as his job keeps him away during the week and even some weekends.
Because of this, our Kelly spends a lot of time alone and to be honest, she's struggling.
Feeling increasingly lonely and isolated, one day she receives a phone call that will change everything.
The call is from Aaron's pediatrician's office, with a reminder of his upcoming well-baby appointment.
Kelly tries to laugh it off with the receptionist. Obviously, it's a mistake, her son is in college, years beyond any need for a well-baby appointment.
The lady apologizes profusely. Apparently, there is another Kelly Medina in the area and their numbers must have gotten mixed up in the system.
Our Kelly is taken aback. Another woman, sharing her same name, in the same area, with a baby.
In the coming hours, it's all she can think about. Imagining who this young woman is and what her life must be like. It all seems too strange.
The whole incident has shaken her. Arriving later at the gym to meet her best friend, Christine, for a yoga class, she has forgotten her membership card.
When the desk clerk looks her up in the system, she comments on how funny it is that another Kelly Medina was there that very morning for a workout.
Now the girl is invading her gym space? Who is this person?
That's all it takes for Kelly to become obsessed with finding out more about the other Kelly.
After several attempts at online stalking, our Kelly realizes the best way to actually find the other Kelly would be to go to the well-baby appointment that started it all.
That's exactly what she does. The rest of the story goes from there and let me tell you, you are in for a WILD RIDE!!
I had so much fun reading When I Was You!
Once I got into the story, I could not put it down. I can definitely see why the publisher chose to describe it as an, up-all-night Psychological Thriller!
Garza added some epic twists. I couldn't believe what I was reading. My goodness.
My jaw hit the floor so many times! It was a bloody fantastic.
I don't think I have had this much fun reading a Thriller since the first B.A. Paris novel I read, Behind Closed Doors.
And like that novel, When I Was You, is not perfect. Personally though, I feel like any tiny flaws were completely made up for with the perfectly plotted story.
I hope that Amber Garza continues to write in this genre. I really look forward to getting more of this type of story from her.
This is wildly imaginative. It went some places, guys, I was shocked. Just when you think you have hit the crazy limit, another revelation comes to light!
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a twisty-turny, compulsively readable Psychological Thriller.
Once you pick it up, it will be hard to put it down, so clear your calendar!
Thank you so, so much to the publisher, Harlequin MIRA, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I had so, so, so much fun reading it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
December 30, 2020
Obsession
When I Was You is a psychological thriller about two women who share the same name.
When Kelly Medina learns there is another woman in town who shares her name, her curiosity about her “other” develops into obsession. The other Kelly Medina has an obsession of her own, and when the two Kellys collide, both of their lives implode.
This is a fast-paced, twisty, and suspenseful thriller told in three parts. Each part of the book has at least one major twist. The perspectives of each Kelly is shared, and both have a lot of crazies in their heads.
When I Was You is an engrossing and gratifying read. It’s a little predictable, but the two Kelly’s kept me invested in the story. I wasn’t sure which Kelly was going to win in the end. I guessed the twists, but I thought the structure of the narrative and revelations were well-executed. My one gripe was with the character of Rafael. He was a supreme a**hole. With that being said, I wish the ending was a little more vicious.
I was looking for a juicy thriller to get lost in, and the crazy Kellys got the job done!
When I Was You is a psychological thriller about two women who share the same name.
When Kelly Medina learns there is another woman in town who shares her name, her curiosity about her “other” develops into obsession. The other Kelly Medina has an obsession of her own, and when the two Kellys collide, both of their lives implode.
This is a fast-paced, twisty, and suspenseful thriller told in three parts. Each part of the book has at least one major twist. The perspectives of each Kelly is shared, and both have a lot of crazies in their heads.
When I Was You is an engrossing and gratifying read. It’s a little predictable, but the two Kelly’s kept me invested in the story. I wasn’t sure which Kelly was going to win in the end. I guessed the twists, but I thought the structure of the narrative and revelations were well-executed. My one gripe was with the character of Rafael. He was a supreme a**hole. With that being said, I wish the ending was a little more vicious.
I was looking for a juicy thriller to get lost in, and the crazy Kellys got the job done!
August 31, 2020
Well, Hot Diggity Dang, that was good! I was almost ready to give up on thrillers, but I had this blog tour and Amber Garza saved me and reminded me why I love thrillers! She nails it here with this thrilling, exciting twisty page-turner! This is the way to write a thrilling page-turner!!! Don't miss this one, my friends!!!
Amber Garza takes obsession to a whole new level here with our main characters Kelly and Kelly and creates some tension and exciting suspense here with jaw-dropping twists and turns to the story. My heart was pounding with each page and my head was swimming with questions I was answering in my head. I was very pleased with myself for seeing one turn to the story that was layered so well in the story and then I was thrilled when I was very surprised with one twist that had me thinking how clever the story was told. AND that ending WOOT WOOT knocked me off my chair and then had me happy dancing around the house!! Nothing better than a thriller that leaves you feeling like that. I highly recommend it!!
I received a copy from the publisher for a blog tour!!
Amber Garza takes obsession to a whole new level here with our main characters Kelly and Kelly and creates some tension and exciting suspense here with jaw-dropping twists and turns to the story. My heart was pounding with each page and my head was swimming with questions I was answering in my head. I was very pleased with myself for seeing one turn to the story that was layered so well in the story and then I was thrilled when I was very surprised with one twist that had me thinking how clever the story was told. AND that ending WOOT WOOT knocked me off my chair and then had me happy dancing around the house!! Nothing better than a thriller that leaves you feeling like that. I highly recommend it!!
I received a copy from the publisher for a blog tour!!
August 7, 2022
Have you ever come across someone who had the identical name as yours? I think my first thought would be... how has their life played out in comparison to mine? How about you?
Kelly Medina receives a call from a pediatrician confirming her sons’ appointment. The issue is her son is not an infant and she quickly realizes this call must be for someone else with her name. Kelly is now consumed with finding this woman. And her obsession doesn’t stop there.
Wow! This was one twisted tale. Listening to the audio I had to hit pause a couple times for my brain to catch up with what I just heard! Picking my jaw up, I pressed ‘play’ and carried on!
I’ve only recently discovered this author and after reading her most recent, A Mother Would Know. I quickly went in search for her previous books. So glad I came across this one!
Thank you to my local library 🎧
Kelly Medina receives a call from a pediatrician confirming her sons’ appointment. The issue is her son is not an infant and she quickly realizes this call must be for someone else with her name. Kelly is now consumed with finding this woman. And her obsession doesn’t stop there.
Wow! This was one twisted tale. Listening to the audio I had to hit pause a couple times for my brain to catch up with what I just heard! Picking my jaw up, I pressed ‘play’ and carried on!
I’ve only recently discovered this author and after reading her most recent, A Mother Would Know. I quickly went in search for her previous books. So glad I came across this one!
Thank you to my local library 🎧
October 7, 2020
Imagine getting a call from a pediatrician’s office, reminding you of an appointment for your baby. Your son is in college. It turns out there’s someone else who lives in the same town, with the same first name and last name as you.
Kelly Medina.
With her son gone and her husband away for work throughout each week, Kelly is quite lonely. When she finds out there is another Kelly, and with a baby to boot, she becomes a bit obsessed with meeting her...helping her with the baby...entwining herself in the other Kelly’s life.
As her obsession grows, disturbing behavior follows.
The rest is better to go in blind. This is a gripping read... a bit of a slow burn. It has unreliable narration, growing unease, and a low simmer of suspense. I felt like I knew where the book was going the whole time (I WAS right about part of it, at least). That is, until things take a crazy turn after about 2/3 of the way in! I audibly gasped at one of the twists, and that doesn’t happen too often these days. The last section of the book really pushes this thriller to exceptional territory. The ending is excellent as well!
3.5 stars.
Kelly Medina.
With her son gone and her husband away for work throughout each week, Kelly is quite lonely. When she finds out there is another Kelly, and with a baby to boot, she becomes a bit obsessed with meeting her...helping her with the baby...entwining herself in the other Kelly’s life.
As her obsession grows, disturbing behavior follows.
The rest is better to go in blind. This is a gripping read... a bit of a slow burn. It has unreliable narration, growing unease, and a low simmer of suspense. I felt like I knew where the book was going the whole time (I WAS right about part of it, at least). That is, until things take a crazy turn after about 2/3 of the way in! I audibly gasped at one of the twists, and that doesn’t happen too often these days. The last section of the book really pushes this thriller to exceptional territory. The ending is excellent as well!
3.5 stars.
July 29, 2022
Will the REAL Kelly Medina please stand up?
(whether you take that as a To Tell The Truth reference or an Eminem reference is up to you...and that is NOT to be confused with To Tell You the Truth either!)
Kelly Medina receives a seemingly routine phone call from the doctor's office...it's time for her baby's checkup. However, Kelly's child is not an infant...Aaron is 19 and off at college. So who was this phone call actually intended to reach? Could there be ANOTHER Kelly Medina right under her nose, in the same town? Kelly is fascinated by the premise of a seemingly perfect younger 'version' of herself, and her active imagination goes to work about the possibilities of a friendship between the two Kellys. She slowly becomes obsessed with this woman, manages to accidentally bump into her outside of the doctor's office that brought them together, and she can't help but introduce herself as Kelly Medina, for added effect. From that moment on, Kelly grows increasingly fascinated by her new friend and is totally enamored with her infant son Sullivan. You see, SHE would be the better mother. SHE would do everything just right. Younger Kelly just doesn't know what's good for her...but our older Kelly won't let that be a problem for long.
I have heard such rave reviews about this book, I was honestly doubtful that it could live up to the hype. Garza, however, shocked, stunned, and COMPLETELY hoodwinked me! The first part of the novel is designed to hint at the potential of Kelly as an unreliable narrator, leaving the reader twisting and turning, trying to decide how much of the story is true or exists only in Kelly's mind. This was an absolutely brilliant plot device for this story, though, because as a reader you are so wrapped up in these mental gymnastics that the first twist is BEYOND shocking. I was so far down my own mental rabbit hole when it happened that I had to go back and reread a good 15 pages or so before I even caught up! There is nothing I adore more while reading a thriller than being completely fooled, and this book does that over and over again. The hits keep on coming, in the BEST possible way! Short, brisk, and full of punch, this is the sort of book you could EASILY consume in an afternoon (and I wish I'd had that opportunity!) The ending was everything I'd hoped for too, the perfect final twist to cap off an absolutely fantastic book!
Fans of Joe Goldberg will adore Kelly (or love to hate her, at least) and all of the comparisons to both You and Fatal Attraction are certainly warranted! This was precisely the thriller I needed to get me out of my book slump and one of the most captivating I've read in some time. I am absolutely ready, here, and waiting for whatever Garza writes next!
4.5 ⭐️
(whether you take that as a To Tell The Truth reference or an Eminem reference is up to you...and that is NOT to be confused with To Tell You the Truth either!)
Kelly Medina receives a seemingly routine phone call from the doctor's office...it's time for her baby's checkup. However, Kelly's child is not an infant...Aaron is 19 and off at college. So who was this phone call actually intended to reach? Could there be ANOTHER Kelly Medina right under her nose, in the same town? Kelly is fascinated by the premise of a seemingly perfect younger 'version' of herself, and her active imagination goes to work about the possibilities of a friendship between the two Kellys. She slowly becomes obsessed with this woman, manages to accidentally bump into her outside of the doctor's office that brought them together, and she can't help but introduce herself as Kelly Medina, for added effect. From that moment on, Kelly grows increasingly fascinated by her new friend and is totally enamored with her infant son Sullivan. You see, SHE would be the better mother. SHE would do everything just right. Younger Kelly just doesn't know what's good for her...but our older Kelly won't let that be a problem for long.
I have heard such rave reviews about this book, I was honestly doubtful that it could live up to the hype. Garza, however, shocked, stunned, and COMPLETELY hoodwinked me! The first part of the novel is designed to hint at the potential of Kelly as an unreliable narrator, leaving the reader twisting and turning, trying to decide how much of the story is true or exists only in Kelly's mind. This was an absolutely brilliant plot device for this story, though, because as a reader you are so wrapped up in these mental gymnastics that the first twist is BEYOND shocking. I was so far down my own mental rabbit hole when it happened that I had to go back and reread a good 15 pages or so before I even caught up! There is nothing I adore more while reading a thriller than being completely fooled, and this book does that over and over again. The hits keep on coming, in the BEST possible way! Short, brisk, and full of punch, this is the sort of book you could EASILY consume in an afternoon (and I wish I'd had that opportunity!) The ending was everything I'd hoped for too, the perfect final twist to cap off an absolutely fantastic book!
Fans of Joe Goldberg will adore Kelly (or love to hate her, at least) and all of the comparisons to both You and Fatal Attraction are certainly warranted! This was precisely the thriller I needed to get me out of my book slump and one of the most captivating I've read in some time. I am absolutely ready, here, and waiting for whatever Garza writes next!
4.5 ⭐️
November 25, 2020
3.5 stars. An easy and addictive read!
Kelly Medina receives a call from her local paediatrician’s office asking to confirm her newborn sons upcoming appointment. Problem is, Kelly’s son is nineteen years old and hasn’t been to the paediatrician in years. The secretary apologizes and confirms she got mixed up with another Kelly Medina who recently moved into town. Two Kelly Medina’s in one small town? Kelly can’t stop thinking about the other woman. Curiosity gets the best of her as she plans to find out all she can about this new Kelly.
After reading several raving reviews on this book, I snapped it up when I saw it available at the library. This was highly addictive and easy to fly through. The writing kept me engrossed and intrigued throughout even though the story took some implausible turns toward the end. There was something so compulsively readable about the writing that had me flying through the pages and I loved how the book was broken down into three parts. The storyline was twisty and clever.
Was this as amazing as I had hoped and expected? No. Was this a highly entertaining, mindless and addictive book? Yes! I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!
Thank you to my lovely local library for the loan of this book!
Kelly Medina receives a call from her local paediatrician’s office asking to confirm her newborn sons upcoming appointment. Problem is, Kelly’s son is nineteen years old and hasn’t been to the paediatrician in years. The secretary apologizes and confirms she got mixed up with another Kelly Medina who recently moved into town. Two Kelly Medina’s in one small town? Kelly can’t stop thinking about the other woman. Curiosity gets the best of her as she plans to find out all she can about this new Kelly.
After reading several raving reviews on this book, I snapped it up when I saw it available at the library. This was highly addictive and easy to fly through. The writing kept me engrossed and intrigued throughout even though the story took some implausible turns toward the end. There was something so compulsively readable about the writing that had me flying through the pages and I loved how the book was broken down into three parts. The storyline was twisty and clever.
Was this as amazing as I had hoped and expected? No. Was this a highly entertaining, mindless and addictive book? Yes! I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!
Thank you to my lovely local library for the loan of this book!
December 9, 2020
How do I describe this book? It's kind of like one of those carnival fun houses where all the mirrors distort things and you lose your sense of where you are, but you keep wanting to go back in!
One day Kelly Medina gets a call from the office of her son's old pediatrician regarding a scheduled well visit for her baby - only, her son is fully grown. Upon explaining this, she finds out that there’s another Kelly Medina who’s recently moved to town, and she’s the intended recipient of the call. This call sets in motion the rest of the “WHAT on Earth is happening?!?” that comes after.
It turns out that the first Kelly Medina, who you learn early is trying to regroup after a mental breakdown caused by a frequently alluded to, mysterious event from her past involving a baby, quickly fixates on the new Kelly Medina and her baby son, Sullivan. Her attempts to befriend the struggling single young mother and help take care of Sullivan become more aggressive and imposing with each new encounter, and you get her POV as insight into how she rationalizes her behavior. To make matters worse, despite being a truly toxic a-hole, her husband Rafael, who’s never home due to work, is worried she’s gone off the deep end again, as is her friend Christine, neither of whom believe this other Kelly is actually real.
Is her fixation dangerous? Who is this new Kelly Medina? What will become of this budding mentor-young mom friendship? Suffice it to say, you’ll have to read to the twisty end to unravel what’s real and what isn’t, because as anyone who reads thrillers knows - things are never quite what they seem on the surface. I will say the twist at the beginning of Part Two was just awesome, the twist at the beginning of Part Three I saw coming but was still fantastic, and the ending was delicious. A couple downsides? None of the characters are likeable, but in this story it worked. I also thought that Part One started feeling just a tad long and repetitive, but in hindsight it set the stage well for the final two parts.
This book was disorienting with the dual Kellys, it was intriguing, it was at times nerve-wracking, sometimes sad, sometimes downright angering (Rafael really is a scumbag), and at all times it was engrossing. The story pulled me in, wound me up and spun me around like a top, and that’s what a good thriller should do, so well-done Amber Garza!
★★★★
One day Kelly Medina gets a call from the office of her son's old pediatrician regarding a scheduled well visit for her baby - only, her son is fully grown. Upon explaining this, she finds out that there’s another Kelly Medina who’s recently moved to town, and she’s the intended recipient of the call. This call sets in motion the rest of the “WHAT on Earth is happening?!?” that comes after.
It turns out that the first Kelly Medina, who you learn early is trying to regroup after a mental breakdown caused by a frequently alluded to, mysterious event from her past involving a baby, quickly fixates on the new Kelly Medina and her baby son, Sullivan. Her attempts to befriend the struggling single young mother and help take care of Sullivan become more aggressive and imposing with each new encounter, and you get her POV as insight into how she rationalizes her behavior. To make matters worse, despite being a truly toxic a-hole, her husband Rafael, who’s never home due to work, is worried she’s gone off the deep end again, as is her friend Christine, neither of whom believe this other Kelly is actually real.
Is her fixation dangerous? Who is this new Kelly Medina? What will become of this budding mentor-young mom friendship? Suffice it to say, you’ll have to read to the twisty end to unravel what’s real and what isn’t, because as anyone who reads thrillers knows - things are never quite what they seem on the surface. I will say the twist at the beginning of Part Two was just awesome, the twist at the beginning of Part Three I saw coming but was still fantastic, and the ending was delicious. A couple downsides? None of the characters are likeable, but in this story it worked. I also thought that Part One started feeling just a tad long and repetitive, but in hindsight it set the stage well for the final two parts.
This book was disorienting with the dual Kellys, it was intriguing, it was at times nerve-wracking, sometimes sad, sometimes downright angering (Rafael really is a scumbag), and at all times it was engrossing. The story pulled me in, wound me up and spun me around like a top, and that’s what a good thriller should do, so well-done Amber Garza!
★★★★
November 4, 2020
Hot damn this was a fun book!
Kelly Medina is a lonely stay at home wife. Her husband, a professor, works in the Bay area and only comes home on the weekends and her son is away at college. She feels as if she has a huge void in her life now that her son has grown up and doesn't need her anymore and she is definitely suffering depression because of it.
One morning she receives a call reminding her of her well baby visit that's coming up. Her son is nineteen so surely there has been a mistake. They inform her that there was a mix up and that there is another Kelly Medina and somehow the numbers must have been crossed. From here she becomes obsessed with finding out more about this other Kelly all the while wishing she still had a little one to care for. Let's just say she gets a little unhinged in the process.
This book was pure gluttonous entertainment and nearly impossible to put down. If your looking for an escape from the drudgery of life and you don't mind a little cuckoo in your fiction then this may be just what your looking for. Highly recommend! 4 stars!
Kelly Medina is a lonely stay at home wife. Her husband, a professor, works in the Bay area and only comes home on the weekends and her son is away at college. She feels as if she has a huge void in her life now that her son has grown up and doesn't need her anymore and she is definitely suffering depression because of it.
One morning she receives a call reminding her of her well baby visit that's coming up. Her son is nineteen so surely there has been a mistake. They inform her that there was a mix up and that there is another Kelly Medina and somehow the numbers must have been crossed. From here she becomes obsessed with finding out more about this other Kelly all the while wishing she still had a little one to care for. Let's just say she gets a little unhinged in the process.
This book was pure gluttonous entertainment and nearly impossible to put down. If your looking for an escape from the drudgery of life and you don't mind a little cuckoo in your fiction then this may be just what your looking for. Highly recommend! 4 stars!
October 15, 2020
Excerpt: “Then I drove to your house, irritated that you were forcing me to stalk you. It was annoying. I wanted to hang out with you in a non creepy way, but you weren’t allowing it. So, really, this was your fault.”
Lonely, empty nester Kelly Medina becomes obsessed with young mother, Kelly Medina who has just moved to town.
Told intimately in the second person POV in three parts..
Part 1 has two reveals and I guessed both..but that is probably because I read A LOT of thrillers.
Part 2-WAIT! WHAT? I need to back up about 7 pages and read THAT again!
PART 3- The Grand Finale...
Yes, I am being cryptic!!
Because the less you know the better!
This was a fun, (but not too creepy) and engaging read by author Amber Garza “who lives in Folsom, California, which is —no joke—home to another Amber Garza”—according to her author bio! 😉
Lonely, empty nester Kelly Medina becomes obsessed with young mother, Kelly Medina who has just moved to town.
Told intimately in the second person POV in three parts..
Part 1 has two reveals and I guessed both..but that is probably because I read A LOT of thrillers.
Part 2-WAIT! WHAT? I need to back up about 7 pages and read THAT again!
PART 3- The Grand Finale...
Yes, I am being cryptic!!
Because the less you know the better!
This was a fun, (but not too creepy) and engaging read by author Amber Garza “who lives in Folsom, California, which is —no joke—home to another Amber Garza”—according to her author bio! 😉
October 11, 2021
Catching up on my TBR pile has proved to be rewarding!!
“You meets Fatal Attraction” I have to agree!
What is up with all these “snarky” women characters? I don’t know whether to laugh or cringe! 🤦🏽♀️
Adult snarky, mind-your-own-business Kelly Medina receives a phone call from her son’s pediatrician office for her baby’s first well check-up. She should have stated it’s a mistake and left it alone, because her son is 19 years old, but instead curiosity reigns her in about the young mother with the same name and town.
Her obsession runs wildly rampant, so she appears at the doctor appointment to just get a glimpse, so the story goes….
Young Kelly Medina appears as an innocent, learning-to-be nurturing mom of a sweet baby boy. Such epic proportions of what these moms will do for a better life for their kids.
I loved this dark, heart pounding thriller with its astounding brilliant final twist.
“ Sometimes we want what we want even if we know it’s going to kill us.”
Amber Garza’s books are webs of deceptive plots that I’m unable to put down. Counter in the maternal instincts which falter with deadly revelations, this book is sure to jolt the dark thriller fans.
“You meets Fatal Attraction” I have to agree!
What is up with all these “snarky” women characters? I don’t know whether to laugh or cringe! 🤦🏽♀️
Adult snarky, mind-your-own-business Kelly Medina receives a phone call from her son’s pediatrician office for her baby’s first well check-up. She should have stated it’s a mistake and left it alone, because her son is 19 years old, but instead curiosity reigns her in about the young mother with the same name and town.
Her obsession runs wildly rampant, so she appears at the doctor appointment to just get a glimpse, so the story goes….
Young Kelly Medina appears as an innocent, learning-to-be nurturing mom of a sweet baby boy. Such epic proportions of what these moms will do for a better life for their kids.
I loved this dark, heart pounding thriller with its astounding brilliant final twist.
“ Sometimes we want what we want even if we know it’s going to kill us.”
Amber Garza’s books are webs of deceptive plots that I’m unable to put down. Counter in the maternal instincts which falter with deadly revelations, this book is sure to jolt the dark thriller fans.
February 1, 2021
When I Was You was an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I was engrossed from page one, and although I had an inkling of where the story was going, a few surprises were thrown in which I didn't see coming. The conclusion was a bit abrupt, but I was nevertheless mostly satisfied.
This is a cunning tale of revenge and obsession and I definitely suggest giving this story a chance...as it's a fun, quick, and gripping read.
3.5 stars rounded up.
**My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Harlequin for my review copy.
This is a cunning tale of revenge and obsession and I definitely suggest giving this story a chance...as it's a fun, quick, and gripping read.
3.5 stars rounded up.
**My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Harlequin for my review copy.
September 8, 2020
3.5 Stars
A fun and entertaining psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages but will it stand out from all the other psychological thrillers a year from now for me remains to be seen.
I enjoying dipping in and out of this genre and looking for that fits my favourite list.
Empty nester Kelly Medina strikes up unlikely friendship with a much younger new Mum who happens to share her exact same name. Her name sake is a single mum with a baby boy and a history that she is not willing to share, curiosity gets the better of Kelly and her curiosity quickly turns to obsession and obsession had dire consequences.
I listened to this one on audible and the narrator was excellent, it was a quick, suspenseful and entertaining read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. However it wasn't a stand out read for me and I did figure out pretty early on in the novel what was happening.
While its not one for my favourites list I did enjoy the book and readers of this genre may well enjoy it too.
A fun and entertaining psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages but will it stand out from all the other psychological thrillers a year from now for me remains to be seen.
I enjoying dipping in and out of this genre and looking for that fits my favourite list.
Empty nester Kelly Medina strikes up unlikely friendship with a much younger new Mum who happens to share her exact same name. Her name sake is a single mum with a baby boy and a history that she is not willing to share, curiosity gets the better of Kelly and her curiosity quickly turns to obsession and obsession had dire consequences.
I listened to this one on audible and the narrator was excellent, it was a quick, suspenseful and entertaining read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. However it wasn't a stand out read for me and I did figure out pretty early on in the novel what was happening.
While its not one for my favourites list I did enjoy the book and readers of this genre may well enjoy it too.
August 13, 2020
Kelly Medina lives in Folsom, her husband Rafael works as a Professor in the Bay Area and they have a son Aaron who’s at college. One day she gets a strange call from a paediatrician’s office reminding her of an appointment for her son. Two Kelly Medinas of different ages in Folsom? What a coincidence. Or is it? The story is told by both women.
Well, I’m a bit annoyed. Annoyed I haven’t read anything by Amber Garza before now! I’ll have to catch up. The older Kelly ( lets call her Kelly #1) becomes increasingly obsessive almost ‘stalkerish’ in her behaviour and this is depicted well as she inserts herself into Kelly #2’s life. The storyline keeps you in suspense as you have no idea if her loneliness with Rafael being away is causing her to lose it and have delusions or if her growing instincts of suspicion about Kelly #2 are correct. It’s horrifyingly darkly delicious as you just know it’s going to end badly. It’s like watching a car crash that’s unavoidable in slow motion. Rafael is deeply unlikeable, you feel sympathy for Kelly #1 and root for her and as for Kelly #2 well, the least said really. This is a well written mystery suspense novel, with a good plot and the storyline has a good pace.
Overall, I could almost hear hysterical laughter in my head as the plot draws to a conclusion as it’s seriously messed up. It’s an engrossing, dark thriller which is obviously just the way I like them!
With thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.
Well, I’m a bit annoyed. Annoyed I haven’t read anything by Amber Garza before now! I’ll have to catch up. The older Kelly ( lets call her Kelly #1) becomes increasingly obsessive almost ‘stalkerish’ in her behaviour and this is depicted well as she inserts herself into Kelly #2’s life. The storyline keeps you in suspense as you have no idea if her loneliness with Rafael being away is causing her to lose it and have delusions or if her growing instincts of suspicion about Kelly #2 are correct. It’s horrifyingly darkly delicious as you just know it’s going to end badly. It’s like watching a car crash that’s unavoidable in slow motion. Rafael is deeply unlikeable, you feel sympathy for Kelly #1 and root for her and as for Kelly #2 well, the least said really. This is a well written mystery suspense novel, with a good plot and the storyline has a good pace.
Overall, I could almost hear hysterical laughter in my head as the plot draws to a conclusion as it’s seriously messed up. It’s an engrossing, dark thriller which is obviously just the way I like them!
With thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.
March 2, 2021
Ok... THIS was the perfect escape read for me during the stressful week of moving.
What a heck of a messy ride this one was. When I was You is quite the dark and disturbing read with very unlikeable characters. But, I feel that this was definitely the author's intent which works very well in this one.
The author does an amazing job keeping her readers on their toes and wondering... who is telling the truth and which character you should or shouldn't trust.
I am very picky with my thrillers but this one kept my interest. This one touches on mental health issues and I have to say I did kind of guess what was going on... but not fully. I really enjoyed Garza's writing style and will for sure be checking out the next novel that she writes!
I'd recommend this one for all my thriller fans!
4/5 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin/Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 8/25/20
Published to GR: 8/6/20
What a heck of a messy ride this one was. When I was You is quite the dark and disturbing read with very unlikeable characters. But, I feel that this was definitely the author's intent which works very well in this one.
The author does an amazing job keeping her readers on their toes and wondering... who is telling the truth and which character you should or shouldn't trust.
I am very picky with my thrillers but this one kept my interest. This one touches on mental health issues and I have to say I did kind of guess what was going on... but not fully. I really enjoyed Garza's writing style and will for sure be checking out the next novel that she writes!
I'd recommend this one for all my thriller fans!
4/5 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin/Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 8/25/20
Published to GR: 8/6/20
February 22, 2022
This review was first posted on Mystery and Suspense. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Californian Kelly Medina is finding it hard to cope with her empty nest.
Kelly's 19-year-old son Aaron is off at college.....
.....and her husband Rafael, who teaches at a university two hours away, only comes home for weekends.
Kelly tries to fill her time with volunteer work, seeing her friend Christine, going to the gym, shopping, and posting on social media - but she's lonely and depressed. Kelly is jealous of women with small children and daydreams about the days when Aaron was a little boy who needed her.
The match that lights up this incendiary situation is a call from the office of Aaron's pediatrician, reminding Kelly that she has a well baby appointment on Friday morning. Kelly laughingly replies that her son is nineteen, and the receptionist checks the records and realizes the appointment is for a DIFFERENT Kelly Medina, who has a baby.
For the sake of the review I'll refer to Aaron's mother as mature Kelly and the infant's mother as young Kelly.
Mature Kelly is curious about her namesake and trolls social media - Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. - to find out about her. Finding nothing, mature Kelly decides to park outside the pediatrician's office on Friday morning, JUST TO SEE what young Kelly looks like. One thing leads to another and mature Kelly manages to meet young Kelly and her baby boy Sullivan.
The women marvel at the fact they have the same name, exchange phone numbers, and arrange to get together.
Mature Kelly soon learns that little Sullivan's dad is out of the picture and young Kelly is almost destitute. Young Kelly and Sullivan live in a dank little cottage with almost no furniture; no crib; no high chair; and few baby supplies. Moreover, young Kelly has lost her mother and grandmother, and has no support system.
Mature Kelly, who's worried about little Sullivan's well-being, goes out and buys a crib, a highchair, onesies, washcloths, formula, and other things a baby needs. She also brings a tray of homemade burritos to young Kelly's house, and invites young Kelly to HER home for a meal, wine, and a sleepover if young Kelly likes.
By this time the reader is aware that something is wrong with this situation. Mature Kelly's friend Christine is always calling to ask how she's doing; to arrange yoga dates; to invite mature Kelly out for lunch; to ask her over for a glass of wine; etc. And when mature Kelly says she's busy because she made a new friend, Christine doesn't seem to believe her.
Moreover, Rafael is also troubled about his wife. He phones to inquire about her credit card purchases of expensive baby supplies, and appears reluctant to accept his wife's explanation that she's helping a new acquaintance. There's some underlying tension between mature mature Kelly and Rafael, as if there's something they can't discuss.
As the story unfolds, mature Kelly intrudes on young Kelly's life more and more, becoming increasingly obsessive about 'keeping Sullivan safe.'
At one point mature Kelly's behavior tips over to the outrageous, and one wonders about her mental health.
I thought I knew where all this was going, then the twists started coming hard and fast. This is an excellent psychological thriller, clever and original.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
September 14, 2020
4 Solid Stars
When I Was You is a woman’s story who has an unhealthy obsession and stalk someone who has her same name, same likes, same doctor… It’s like that said person was copying her. But don’t get her wrong, she's just curious…
Reading this I thought I know what’s happening but then everything took a 180, it made me looking back to see what I just read! At first, I felt confused but then I got what was going on… The beginning was slow but then it turned to a well-paced story, contains flashbacks with an unreliable character (which I love the most in my thrillers). Told in 1st person, it’s a standalone novel and I liked the way it ended. All in all, I had a good time reading this and hope you enjoy it as well!
When I Was You is a woman’s story who has an unhealthy obsession and stalk someone who has her same name, same likes, same doctor… It’s like that said person was copying her. But don’t get her wrong, she's just curious…
Reading this I thought I know what’s happening but then everything took a 180, it made me looking back to see what I just read! At first, I felt confused but then I got what was going on… The beginning was slow but then it turned to a well-paced story, contains flashbacks with an unreliable character (which I love the most in my thrillers). Told in 1st person, it’s a standalone novel and I liked the way it ended. All in all, I had a good time reading this and hope you enjoy it as well!
November 17, 2020
When I Was You takes the unreliable narrator to the extreme. Kelly doesn’t know if she can trust herself but wants to. What is actually going on? Kelly thinks she has everything figured out and I did too. We were both wrong. The reader has to read until the end to find out what happened.
Both Kellys had so many secrets that I couldn’t wait to find out. There were so many questions throughout the novel that I couldn’t put it down. It was really interesting seeing how all of the characters reacted to Kelly when she seemed to be going crazy. Kelly even began to question herself. Does the other Kelly actually exist?
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Both Kellys had so many secrets that I couldn’t wait to find out. There were so many questions throughout the novel that I couldn’t put it down. It was really interesting seeing how all of the characters reacted to Kelly when she seemed to be going crazy. Kelly even began to question herself. Does the other Kelly actually exist?
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
July 30, 2020
I opened When I Was You expecting to just have a quick sneak peak…and couldn’t put it down all weekend. Exhilarating, page-turning, shocking, this is one of those rare psychological thrillers that really is the whole package. An electric, raw, emotional story that will leave you breathless.
With a tightly woven plot, twists I never saw coming, and characters so sharply drawn, I inhaled the story rather than simply read it. When I Was You is a dark and twisty delight about what makes a good mother, and what makes a bad one. An impressive debut that will have you questioning your loyalties even as you turn to the next page.
With a tightly woven plot, twists I never saw coming, and characters so sharply drawn, I inhaled the story rather than simply read it. When I Was You is a dark and twisty delight about what makes a good mother, and what makes a bad one. An impressive debut that will have you questioning your loyalties even as you turn to the next page.
December 12, 2020
My goodness! What did I just read, and when can I get some more of it?!I've got to give this 5 blinding stars, if for nothing else, then for the sheer entertainment!! This is a fast paced suspense/thriller about a very unhinged woman named Kelly Medina, that stalks another younger and prettier version of herself, that just so happens to have the same exact name as her. Is it a pure coincidence that she received the baby WellCare appointment call instead of the other Kelly Medina, who actually has a toddler? Kelly is intrigued to say the least, and decide she's going to show up at the appointment and sit in her car in the parking lot until she spots her counterpart. She meets the other Kelly and makes friends quickly. Is this normal? I sure did not think it was! As you read along, you slowly start to find out why Kelly Medina is as unhinged and obsessive as she is and you also find out if there's anything more to young Kelly, or if she's just as ignorant and young as she comes across. I felt like there were several twists that really shook me and had me glued to these pages burning through this book in about two days, which is incredibly swift reading for myself! Is Kelly sick and in desperate need of serious psychological help, or is there more to this? If she is sick, what trauma has she been through to make her so? That's just a small portion of the plot points, there's much more. So much more in fact that it'll rattle you to your very core! I loved loved loved loved loved how this all came together in the final climactic scene, and could not have wanted a different ending than what we got. This book was full of untrustworthy characters, and I never felt secure in what I thought was going on, which is a great sign of a successful thriller/suspense/mystery for me! As promised on the cover, this very much so gave me vibes of Kepnes's You and Fatal Attraction, so the marketing for this was on point!! Bravo Garza, you have won me over as a fan and I cannot wait until your next release, I'm on pins and needles! You've gone and done it now!
June 29, 2020
If you're looking for a tricky tale of obsession and revenge, look no further! This book is the whole package when it comes to a psychological thriller - unreliable narrator, crazy twists, off-the-charts psychosis, and an unexpected, satisfying ending.
Narrator Kelly Medina's son left for college a year ago, and she has become depressed and lonely, as her emotionally distant professor husband prefers to stay near his campus instead of their home, leaving her with no one. When she discovers that a single mother, also named Kelly Medina, has moved to town, it's an unexpected reminder of the life she used to have. Kelly can't stop thinking about the woman who shares her name, who she learns has a baby son, and who has her whole life ahead of her. She soon develops an unhealthy interest (to say the least). For a time, their unlikely friendship brings Kelly a renewed sense of purpose, but the relationship quickly turns to obsession with murderous results.
Garza unveils the plot through the masterful use of second person, and with the shifting POVs between older Kelly and younger Kelly, it is fascinatingly unclear to the reader at times which Kelly is which. I don't want to say much more about the plot, as I don't want to give anything away, but just when I was certain I had it all figured out, I was knocked off my high horse with yet another twist that proved me wrong.
I literally inhaled this book! It was truly a twisty, dark, pleasure read that I highly recommend. For a debut work, Garza knocked it out of the park, and with such great characters and tightly woven storyline, I don't think she is a one hit wonder. I am already eagerly anticipating Garza's next book! 4 brilliant debut stars!
Narrator Kelly Medina's son left for college a year ago, and she has become depressed and lonely, as her emotionally distant professor husband prefers to stay near his campus instead of their home, leaving her with no one. When she discovers that a single mother, also named Kelly Medina, has moved to town, it's an unexpected reminder of the life she used to have. Kelly can't stop thinking about the woman who shares her name, who she learns has a baby son, and who has her whole life ahead of her. She soon develops an unhealthy interest (to say the least). For a time, their unlikely friendship brings Kelly a renewed sense of purpose, but the relationship quickly turns to obsession with murderous results.
Garza unveils the plot through the masterful use of second person, and with the shifting POVs between older Kelly and younger Kelly, it is fascinatingly unclear to the reader at times which Kelly is which. I don't want to say much more about the plot, as I don't want to give anything away, but just when I was certain I had it all figured out, I was knocked off my high horse with yet another twist that proved me wrong.
I literally inhaled this book! It was truly a twisty, dark, pleasure read that I highly recommend. For a debut work, Garza knocked it out of the park, and with such great characters and tightly woven storyline, I don't think she is a one hit wonder. I am already eagerly anticipating Garza's next book! 4 brilliant debut stars!
October 11, 2020
Oh dear. I’m not having much luck with thrillers at the moment.
I had two issues with this one:
1) the excruciatingly slow pacing
2) the predictability
This was so slow and I’m all up for a slow burn every now and then but this was just slow until the last chapter where everything came to light. Which just isn’t the way I like my thrillers unfortunately. So if you are anything like me and struggle to enjoy slowly paced books perhaps give this one a miss.
And secondly, I know I said my last thriller (the couple next door) was the most predictable one ever. But honestly this had 3 major twists which I predicted as early as chapter 5. And for me a predictable thriller is never good.
So unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. However, if you do prefer slow burn, if you like domestic-type thrillers and if you don’t read too many thrillers this one might be for you.
I had two issues with this one:
1) the excruciatingly slow pacing
2) the predictability
This was so slow and I’m all up for a slow burn every now and then but this was just slow until the last chapter where everything came to light. Which just isn’t the way I like my thrillers unfortunately. So if you are anything like me and struggle to enjoy slowly paced books perhaps give this one a miss.
And secondly, I know I said my last thriller (the couple next door) was the most predictable one ever. But honestly this had 3 major twists which I predicted as early as chapter 5. And for me a predictable thriller is never good.
So unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. However, if you do prefer slow burn, if you like domestic-type thrillers and if you don’t read too many thrillers this one might be for you.
October 2, 2020
This was one hell of a ride. I didn’t know who I was rooting for during most of the book but I did towards the end and I love that certain people got what they deserved.
A great read!
A great read!
May 22, 2021
Here's the reading vlog where I read it: https://youtu.be/AYRj33aB48c
December 3, 2020
“When I was you”, or “The battle of the Kellys” as my head renamed it, was a very pleasant surprise! With so many domestic suspense/psychological thrillers under my belt, it’s not usual that a book from this genre manages to surprise me, but this one certainly did.
With her son gone and her husband working away throughout the week, Kelly Medina is quite lonely, so when she finds out about the existence of another woman called Kelly Medina living in her same town, she becomes quite obsessed with her. To top it all, the Original Kelly is suffering from empty nest syndrome while The Other Kelly has a few months old baby, so when their lives get entwined disaster is served.
Original Kelly meeting The Other Kelly
The story is told in the second person. Although I’m not a big fan of this kind of narration cause all this you, you, you, some times makes me shout at my kindle “but who are you?”, in this case I think it worked perfectly.
The first part showed us Original Kelly going from crazy to crazier. Talk about an unreliable female narrator! With her background, neither her husband nor her friend seem to take her so seriously, so we don’t know if this new friendship is all on her mind or if The Other Kelly has a secret agenda as she believes.
Although there are several twists in this first part, the one that truly left me speechless didn’t come till part two. In fact I had to go back and listen 10 minutes twice, cause the first time my brain was not able to process what it was hearing. From that point forward the story didn’t stop to take a breath for a second, delivering several other twists that lead to a VERY satisfaying ending (YOU asked for it!).
Fun and gripping read where you won’t know who’s crazier of them all.
3,5 ⭐️
With her son gone and her husband working away throughout the week, Kelly Medina is quite lonely, so when she finds out about the existence of another woman called Kelly Medina living in her same town, she becomes quite obsessed with her. To top it all, the Original Kelly is suffering from empty nest syndrome while The Other Kelly has a few months old baby, so when their lives get entwined disaster is served.
Original Kelly meeting The Other Kelly
The story is told in the second person. Although I’m not a big fan of this kind of narration cause all this you, you, you, some times makes me shout at my kindle “but who are you?”, in this case I think it worked perfectly.
The first part showed us Original Kelly going from crazy to crazier. Talk about an unreliable female narrator! With her background, neither her husband nor her friend seem to take her so seriously, so we don’t know if this new friendship is all on her mind or if The Other Kelly has a secret agenda as she believes.
Although there are several twists in this first part, the one that truly left me speechless didn’t come till part two. In fact I had to go back and listen 10 minutes twice, cause the first time my brain was not able to process what it was hearing. From that point forward the story didn’t stop to take a breath for a second, delivering several other twists that lead to a VERY satisfaying ending (YOU asked for it!).
Fun and gripping read where you won’t know who’s crazier of them all.
3,5 ⭐️
July 27, 2022
This book popped up on my Libby app from the library, and I thought “why not”?🤷🏻♀️ I’m SO glad that I decided to read this book! In fact, I don’t feel that it was hyped up or talked about enough, because I totally missed this book when it came out.
The synopsis alone sucked me in. I mean, I have always been intrigued by people who have the same name as I do. And if I’m being honest, I’ve always wanted to meet someone who had the same name as myself. In this book we have two Kelly Medina’s- I mean, what are the chances of that?!
Of course, the two Kelly’s meet and become friends. Or do they? There is suspense and questions from the first page all the way through to the last. And the ending was my favorite in a thriller book by far this year! Thank you Amber Garza!
I definitely recommend reading When I Was You. This book is like a roller coaster from start to finish, and I say just sit back and enjoy the ride 😉
The synopsis alone sucked me in. I mean, I have always been intrigued by people who have the same name as I do. And if I’m being honest, I’ve always wanted to meet someone who had the same name as myself. In this book we have two Kelly Medina’s- I mean, what are the chances of that?!
Of course, the two Kelly’s meet and become friends. Or do they? There is suspense and questions from the first page all the way through to the last. And the ending was my favorite in a thriller book by far this year! Thank you Amber Garza!
I definitely recommend reading When I Was You. This book is like a roller coaster from start to finish, and I say just sit back and enjoy the ride 😉
August 30, 2020
This book was stupid.
Not just bad, but plain stupid.
The prose was bad.
The characters cringe worthy.
The “twists” were so obvious you could tell the endgame from page 11.
I’m surprised I actually finished this. It was like a very bad B.A. Paris.
I will also note that I should probably stop taking recommendations from my fave bookstagramers as it seems they provide rave reviews for every book they get. I can’t believe this was recommended along with “His & Hers” and “The Nothing Man”.
Not just bad, but plain stupid.
The prose was bad.
The characters cringe worthy.
The “twists” were so obvious you could tell the endgame from page 11.
I’m surprised I actually finished this. It was like a very bad B.A. Paris.
I will also note that I should probably stop taking recommendations from my fave bookstagramers as it seems they provide rave reviews for every book they get. I can’t believe this was recommended along with “His & Hers” and “The Nothing Man”.
August 31, 2020
Getting a phone call about a well-baby appointment when your son is 19 was definitely unexpected.
When Kelly Medina realized the office had made a mistake because someone had the same name as she did, she had to find out who this other Kelly was.
Kelly did find out who the other Kelly was...she was a single mother living in a small apartment with no one to help her with the baby.
Well...now that Kelly found Kelly, she was going to help her especially since she was lonely herself.
Tension abounds. and you will question what’s going on and who the “new” Kelly really is.
One day the “old” Kelly finds out who she is or does she find out? We are kept in the dark.
This information definitely ramped up my curiosity and apprehension.
WHEN I WAS YOU kept me turning the pages as I knew the ominous plot was heading for more, and I was correct.
This book is a twisty, creepy, psychological thriller with a very intriguing, clever story line and characters that have unhealthy obsessions.
This book will definitely keep suspense fans on the edge of your seat, have you shaking your head, and keep you guessing because it is just brilliant.
READ IT...I bet you won’t figure it out, BUT I know you will love it. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Kelly Medina realized the office had made a mistake because someone had the same name as she did, she had to find out who this other Kelly was.
Kelly did find out who the other Kelly was...she was a single mother living in a small apartment with no one to help her with the baby.
Well...now that Kelly found Kelly, she was going to help her especially since she was lonely herself.
Tension abounds. and you will question what’s going on and who the “new” Kelly really is.
One day the “old” Kelly finds out who she is or does she find out? We are kept in the dark.
This information definitely ramped up my curiosity and apprehension.
WHEN I WAS YOU kept me turning the pages as I knew the ominous plot was heading for more, and I was correct.
This book is a twisty, creepy, psychological thriller with a very intriguing, clever story line and characters that have unhealthy obsessions.
This book will definitely keep suspense fans on the edge of your seat, have you shaking your head, and keep you guessing because it is just brilliant.
READ IT...I bet you won’t figure it out, BUT I know you will love it. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2020
3.5 stars.
Wow, what a crazy ride this book took me on!
"It was a Monday morning in early October when I first heard about you. I was getting out of the shower when my phone rang. After throwing on a robe and cinching it, I ran into my bedroom, snatching my cell off the nightstand."
Kelly Medina gets a call from a pediatrician’s office, reminding her of an appointment for her baby. Kelly’s son is in college so this call isn’t for her.
It turns out that there’s another Kelly Medina in town, and she has a young baby. How strange that there could be two women in the same small town with exactly the same name?
Kelly is utterly intrigued by the presence of this other woman. When she finds out the "other" Kelly has been at her gym, her interest grows, and little by little, that intrigue turns to obsession when she “coincidentally” meets the woman who shares her name.
I’ll leave the plot summary there but suffice it to say things get WILD from there!
When I Was You definitely had its wow moments, with lots of twists and turns, but there was one key component of the plot that I called really early on, so I was a bit frustrated. Luckily, it was only one thing in the middle of a lot of others. It’s definitely a book you won’t want to put down!!
I've been growing weary of thrillers lately, because I can't seem to find many that wow me. I will say that while I had some issues with this book, it was still a crazy and compelling read.
I’m grateful to have been part of the blog tour for this book. MIRA and NetGalley provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Wow, what a crazy ride this book took me on!
"It was a Monday morning in early October when I first heard about you. I was getting out of the shower when my phone rang. After throwing on a robe and cinching it, I ran into my bedroom, snatching my cell off the nightstand."
Kelly Medina gets a call from a pediatrician’s office, reminding her of an appointment for her baby. Kelly’s son is in college so this call isn’t for her.
It turns out that there’s another Kelly Medina in town, and she has a young baby. How strange that there could be two women in the same small town with exactly the same name?
Kelly is utterly intrigued by the presence of this other woman. When she finds out the "other" Kelly has been at her gym, her interest grows, and little by little, that intrigue turns to obsession when she “coincidentally” meets the woman who shares her name.
I’ll leave the plot summary there but suffice it to say things get WILD from there!
When I Was You definitely had its wow moments, with lots of twists and turns, but there was one key component of the plot that I called really early on, so I was a bit frustrated. Luckily, it was only one thing in the middle of a lot of others. It’s definitely a book you won’t want to put down!!
I've been growing weary of thrillers lately, because I can't seem to find many that wow me. I will say that while I had some issues with this book, it was still a crazy and compelling read.
I’m grateful to have been part of the blog tour for this book. MIRA and NetGalley provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
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