Life as I Know It

by Melanie Rose

What if you had the chance to live someone else’s life? Full of heart and soul, here is a captivating novel about the choices we make for family and love—and how sometimes a total stranger is the person we really need to be.

Jessica Taylor is walking her dog in the rain when she meets the man of her dreams—only to be struck by lightning moments later. When she wakes up in the hospital, the doctors insist she’s someone else: Lauren Richardson, wife and mother of four.

Lauren’s husband wants nothing more than for life to get back to normal—complete with a well-organized house and very properly behaved children. But Lauren’s kids haven’t been allowed to have much fun, and one of them has special needs. Can Jessica embrace this family of strangers and become the wife and mother they need? As she struggles to find her way in this new life—and the way back to her old life—she reconnects with Lauren’s estranged sister and discovers a secret that could rip the family apart.

Now, torn between Lauren’s responsibilities to her family and Jessica’s chance at love, one woman is about to find out whether the road not taken leads to happiness—or to heartbreak.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy, Adult, Paranormal

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Melanie Rose is the author of Finding Home (Jan '11) and Life As I Know It, (Feb 2010)
Both books are published in the US by Bantam and previously published in the UK as Coming Home and Could It be Magic? and across Europe under different titles, earning her a place on the bestseller list in Germany as Mein Tag Ist Deine Nacht.
Melanie has been a writer all her life whilst caring for children as a children's nurse and also bringing up four lively sons.
Melanie's third novel, Down to Earth is now available in the UK.
Having Life As I Know It published by Bantam and earning fabulous reviews is like a dream come true.

Reviews

[Donna Weber ( Recuperating from Surgery) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book!! From the moment lightening struck, I was drawn into this very unique, thought provoking novel. Melanie Rose gives new meaning to the age old question... What if you had the chance to live someone else's life? This book touched me in an inexplicable way. I couldn’t put it down though not in the typical suspense/thriller manner. Hidden under the fluffy cover lies a book that is both heartwarming yet at the same time filled with moral dilemmas and how the characters respond to them. It begs you to ask yourself how you would react if it was you. It is a captivating novel about choices in our lives that will leave you with joy, tears and a sense of hopefulness and wonder. I agree with the other reviewer, the book has another title, Could it be magic…and I agree wholeheartedly…yes indeed this book is…magic.

[Book Princess (Anastasia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 🌟 DE/UA

What can I say? Total unerwartet hat mich die Geschichte bon Anfang an gefesselt, obwohl es an ihr nichts Besonderes gibt. Die Sprache ist auch nicht markant, die Charaktere nicht immer glaubwürdig, bzw. der Plot. Doch im Großen und Ganzen glaubte ich der Schriftstellerin. Allerdings hatte ich ein paar Fragen, die bis zum Ende des Romans unbeantwortet blieben. Und das Ende konnte mich nicht begeistern. Es gab leider keine Erklärung, warum Jessicas Seele zwiegespaltet wurde und Lauren einfach verschwand... Das hat mich enttäuscht sowie die Tatsache, wie die Geschichte endete.

Бувають такі книги, які написані так собі, наче нічого особливого, а затягують не на жарт. Ця з таких. Хоча я думала, все буде погано і цю забуту книгу я кину недочитаною. Але історія так затягнула, що мене і здивувало, і втішило. А ще книга змусила задуматися над тим, аби завжди намагатися робити із конкретної ситуації найкраще. Я в дитинстві любила фільми на кшталт в когось влучила блискавка, і ті двоє помінялися місцями. Тут трохи не так. Джесіка може перебувати у двох тілах одночасно. І ці дві жінки - абсолютно різні. Одна - одиначка, кар‘єристка, інша - заміжня жінка, мама чотирьох дітей. За Джесіку переживаєш, думаєш, як вона з усім справиться. А вона зі всім упорується. Проте чи можна жити в тілі чужої жінки, змінювати все на свій лад і не опинитися перед наслідками цих дій? Здається, Джесіка над цим не задумується.

мені не сподобалося, як розвинулися події і як закінчилась історія, не сподобалася відсутність якогось хоча би псевдонаукового пояснення, чому сталось те, що сталось, як авторка вирішила конфлікт із коханцем і відсутність будь-яких емоцій у Джесіки... Але загалом книга мене розважила і я жила у ній цей тиждень 😊

[Janet Sydnor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book all the way up until about the last chapter. I couldn't wait to find out how the author would get the character(s) out of their pickle but felt the end was a disappointment. Not sure how else it could have ended though?!

[liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I’m so emotional…..
This book is like one prolonged episode of The Twilight Zone. A brunette woman, Jessica, meets a man and has a love-at-first-sight soulmate electric (literally) experience walking her dog in a field during a rainstorm, and then gets struck by lightning. She wakes up in a hospital bed in another town as a blonde woman who also got struck by lightning, Lauren, a wife and mother of four kids— one with special needs, who knows his real mummy is gone.

A similar premise to other beloved multiverse books such as Lucid or The Two Lives of Lydia Bird— every time Jessica goes to sleep, her physical body remains in a deep sleep while her soul wakes up as Lauren, and vice versa. She attempts to nurture the relationship with her dream man and her beloved dog in her life as Jessica, as well as trying her best to be a mother, wife, and sister in her life as Lauren. Both lives feel equally real to her, because they are.

Something I loved about this book is that I could not predict where the plot was going in either life. So many unexpected surprises involving outside characters. My heart goes out to Jessica because I couldn’t imagine choosing between either life, nor could I imagine keeping up with both forever. I found myself enjoying the best of both worlds and getting increasingly more attached to each as the novel progressed, fully knowing they could not go on like that forever.

I’ve always loved stories like this ever since I was a child. Loving movies like The Family Man, It’s a Wonderful Life, About Time, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Big, 13 Going on 30, Back to the Future, Peggy Sue Got Married, The Hot Chick, Freaky Friday, etc. where the main character is harboring a secret that they can’t tell anyone without being written off as INSANE and locked away in the loony bin. I’m the type of person that if anyone in my life were to wake up in an alternate body or reality, their secret would be safe with me, no questions asked. Reality is genuinely infinite and we live in a multiverse so any of these situations are possible (don’t lock me up— instead look any amount into quantum physics before you call me crazy).

All the men in this story annoy me 0:). These women get struck by lightning and the men get upset that they need 12 hours of sleep in the immediate days following the accident. ???? Mmmk. The best character by far is Lauren’s lesbian sister. Such a real one— so grateful for her.

The ending made me really sad !!! Even though it works out and I understand why the author chose this route. I could never have predicted it, so hat’s off to Miss Melanie Rose.

Overall, it really makes me not want to take my life for granted. A beautiful reminder to be able to look at my life with new eyes and appreciate all the ways the universe brings it all together to make up my own reality. A beautiful reminder to also be able to zoom out. The things I worry about in my own reality can be viewed in a new light with some healthy detachment.

Highly recommend to anyone who wants a page-turner that will keep you guessing between worlds.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one, but it was like a flutter of heartbeats followed by a flat-line. I read it as a read-alike to Cecelia Ahern, one of my favorite authors. It worked in tone and set-up (two women struck by lightning at the same time, one dies and the soul of the other begins alternating between their bodies) but the "substance" of Ahern (a term I use loosely in relation to chick-lit) was lacking.

The premise was promising but Rose never took it anywhere. The characters seem richly drawn until you really think about it and then you realize they're completely static -- with little motivation assigned to the "shifts" they do managing to experience. The situation Jessica is thrust into and accepts with few psychological ramifications becomes a bit much. The literal "love at first sight" experience between her and Dan... no, just no. There was no need to grow their relationship since apparently they went from strangers to destined for long lives together in 5 seconds flat.

And don't get me started on the ending. I will grant that it didn't let me down the way I thought it would, rather it was a totally different yet equally painful kind of pain.

Clearly not everyone agrees. Maybe you're one of them. You might give it a try if you're an Ahern fan or a fan of chick-lit (but not a character-driven reader).

[Elizabeth Cottrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm stingy with my four stars, but this one was close -- a delightful and very entertaining story with a plot that, while unlikely to the point of verging on science fiction, was made totally believable and compelling. The storyline is elaborated on elsewhere (quick version: simultaneous lightening strike results in protagonist inhabiting another woman's body and alternating with her own body while the other woman sleeps), but what elevated this book from "chick lit" to thought-provoking was that it makes the reader really think about the moral, ethical, and emotional complications that would arise if you found yourself in someone else's body/and reminds us that when we judge someone else, we may not know what their life is really like. Without being preachy, the story also reminds us about the things that are really important in life: love and relationship, not status and acquisitions.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting and different take on the time-travel/body-switching trope. No time-travel, but body-switching involved. Though there is some romance, it's not really a romance per se, which is also a nice change from the usual fare. If you like the body-switching/figuring-out-how-to-live-someone-else's-life plot, this book is worth a try.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!! This was actually a really unique, interesting story. I was so curious to see where it would go. The ending, I didn't like at first, but then the VERY end happened and it turned out a little more satisfying. I was left wondering one question that will unfortunately never be answered, but that's okay. This book would make an awesome movie!!

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I would have chosen to read this book if it was not a book club pick. However, I was intrigued by the premise of this book and the first few chaptes hooked me. The more I read the more I had to suspend my disbelief. Usually I am the one reminding others to suspend their disbelief and try to just enjoy a story. This was TOO much of a stretch for me. I kept hoping that the "soul switching bodies" thing would turn out to not really be happening - be the cause of a coma or a mental breakdown or something. SPOILER ALERT It is just ridiculous that this girl's sould keeps switching bodies and she is not completely freaking out - that she doesn't have a complete breakdown or talk to a psychiatrist or either of her medical doctors. It is preposterous that a very content single girl who doesn't care much for children is suddenly thrown in as a mother of 4 and within a week gets the schedule down perfectly, knows exactly how to calm down and parent these children (and they respond so well to her innate parenting ability) and then has NO idea how to deal with the man supposed to be her husband. The ending wraps everything up SO neatly yet does not leave me satisfied in the least. Suffice it to say that there is too much death. It is strange to wrap things up so nicely with so much tragedy. I would not recommend this book to anyone - kind of a waste of a couple hours of my life. I could go on with more complaints but why waste any more of my time on this book?

[Relyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Question: Why does GoodReads eat my review every single time I write a negative review? I'm beginning to think it's a secret program hidden within GoodReads. Ha. Now I sound like a conspiracy nut.

Anyway... Picture this:
Single woman meets a man, falls immediately in love, and is struck by lightening a few moments later. True love, mind you, in three minutes.

Woman has miraculously switched bodies and lives with another woman, a mother of four, while retaining her own personality completely.

Only one child recognizes that she is not their mother. Even the husband is clueless.

Conveniently, woman falls in love with children and new life, but not new husband. She has a dream man, after all. You know, the guy she knew was the one after just three minutes. Woman manages to ignore her former life and the grief of her own parents and leave them entirely behind.

Even more impressive, original husband conveniently dies without traumatizing his own children overly much. Now lightening struck woman is free to get back with the man of her dreams.

And they all live happily ever after.

BLECH!! Please, tell me - is there a way to give negative stars?

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life as I Know It is an amazing book...when I firsted picked this book up, i couldn't stop reading it and it came to the point that I yelled at anybody who interrupted me. Even when I would take a break from reading this book, i would contemplate on what would happen next.

This book is about two women struck by lighting at the same moment but only one survived. And so Jessica is some how stuck living her life and someone elses at the same time.

In the beginning of the book i liked Jessica lifesyle first but living in Lauren body made Jessica realized how empty her life has been. And I loved seeing everyones reaction to the "new" Lauren, it was quite humorous.

P.S. anybody that reads this review, please read this book because i would like to know your opinion about it:)

[Chocoholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to read this before it came out (thank you GoodReads!) and didn't know how to post my review without giving anything away! Anyway, this book is FABULOUS! It is very well written, and I couldn't put it down. From the first lightning strike, I was hooked. The description was so awesome: Single girl struck by lightning wakes up in another woman's body--she is suddenly married with four kids! It was so clever and creative and I just loved it. The journey the character goes on is insane and amazing. Talk about taking what life throws at you and making it work the best that you can. The reader grows right along with the main character through every twist and turn. This is a MUST read!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was intriguing: woman gets hit by lightening splitting her soul into two different women. However, it wrapped up a little too neatly in the end. I don't think getting saddled with someone else's four kids and having your own parents suffer losing you is a very satisfactory conclusion. She conveniently loses her own job, one that she claims to love throughout the whole book. She was quite content with her own, single life and now she's raising four kids and, oh, how convenient, her new husband, whom she didn't really like, dies, leaving her open to bring in her love interest from her other life.

[Kelli Stephenson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never been so disappointed! This book had such a cool premise, and I had to finish it to see how it ended of course. BUT the character development was awful, the dialogue was hokey and unbelievable, and the plot was very underdeveloped. TOTAL BUMMER.

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5 Sterne
Vielleicht 1,5 Sterne, denn ehrlich gesagt bin ich nicht ganz sicher. Aber ich kann sagen, dass die Geschichte mir nicht gefallen hat. Sie war in Ordnung geschrieben, denke ich, aber ich habe auch viele Dinge nur überflogen, weil ich irgendwann einfach nicht mehr wollte.
Es gibt genau eine einzige Figur in dem ganzen Buch, die alles wirklich besser gemacht hat, und das war Teddy. Bei dem ich aber gleichzeitig das Gefühl hatte, dass seine Behinderung nicht wirklich gut aufgegriffen worden ist? Oder auf jeden Fall wirkte es alles sehr oberflächlich, und dann schien auch noch eine Begabung irgendwie Dinge wieder auszugleichen, und ... ich weiß nicht. Aber er war verdammt niedlich, und ich mochte ihn, und ich fand auch die Interaktionen zwischen ihm und Jessica ziemlich gut.
Aber alle anderen Figuren (Jessica eingeschlossen), waren mindestens zeitweise eher mäßig, und vermutlich eher großteils so, dass ich sie zwar nicht unbedingt nicht mochte, aber ich hatte das Gefühl, dass sie alle eher flach waren, und nicht wirklich viel dahinter steckte. Und dann gab es noch die Figuren, die ich wirklich nicht mochte. (Grant ganz vorne mit dabei.)
Jessica hat sich in meinen Augen zu schnell an die Situation gewöhnt und war viel zu schnell dabei, ein fremdes Leben komplett auf den Kopf zu stellen, Grant war so wenig einfühlsam, dass es wirklich nicht zum aushalten war, sehr viel Eifersucht war vorhanden, Karen kam auch viel zu schnell mit Situationen klar, und während ich die Idee des Buches zwar fand, war die Geschichte wirklich nicht logisch. Also auch innerhalb der Welt des Buches nicht. Lauren geht Jessica besuchen, die schläft, weil Jessica immer schläft, wenn Lauren wach ist, aber als Karen Jessica besucht, während Lauren wach ist, ist Jessica auch wach? Wie?
Außerdem kommen im Buch ein paar Dinge vor, die einfach nie thematisiert werden und nie als wirkliche Probleme erkannt werden (sehr viel sexuelle Gewalt, angedeutete körperliche Gewalt, und Morde/Tode). Einige davon flüchtiger als andere, aber trotzdem alle so dass ich das Gefühl hätte, wenigstens irgendeine Reaktion sollte vorhanden sein.
Dan und Jessicas Liebe auf den ersten Blick war außerdem auch nicht sonderlich überzeugend, Karens Freundin hätte ruhig mal auftauchen dürfen, und das "bis auf einmal alles einen Sinn ergibt" im Klappentext finde ich sehr großzügig formuliert, da ich bis jetzt nicht weiß, wann genau es einen Sinn ergeben haben sollte. Ich habe leider nie das Gefühl gehabt, irgendein größeres ganzes erkennen zu können.
Aufgrund all dieser größeren und kleineren Probleme war das Buch leider insgesamt eher eine Enttäuschung für mich. Es ging schnell zu lesen/zu überfliegen, und ich habe das Gefühl, nicht wirklich etwas verpasst zu haben, also das würde ich dem Buch zugute halten, aber abgesehen davon (und von Teddy) habe ich leider nicht zu viel Gutes für mich in der Geschichte entdecken können.

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dies ist meine persönliche Meinung. Meine Meinung wurde nicht gefälscht. Alles was ich schreibe kommt von mir. Falls Du das Buch lesen möchtest, bitte ich dich, bei den Buchhandlungen deines Vertrauens oder bei den kleineren zu kaufen. Sie brauchen unsere Unterstützung. Dieses Buch habe ich auf Youtube im Gelesene Bücher juni vorgestellt. Schaut gerne darin vorbei. Freue mich auf Euren Besuch

Es geht um die Protagonistin Jessica, sehr jung ist und keinen Freund hat, alleine wohnt als Singlefrau lebt und weit weg von ihrem Eltern lebt, die eines Tages mit ihrem Hund spazieren geht und ihren Traummann mit seinem Hund im Park begegnet. Doch plötzlich taucht ein Gewitter auf. Sie bekommt ein Blitz ab Und als sie aufwacht ist alles anders als vorher.

Dieses Buch kann man nur noch gebraucht kaufen. Es gab mal zwei verschiedenen Buchcover arten. Die Gebundene Ausgabe hatte ein blaues Cover und das Taschenbuch Ausgabe war in rot. Vor vielen Jahren habe ich dieses Buch gekauft und es war meine älteste Sub Leiche Buch. Keine Ahnung warum ich es bei medimops gekauft habe. Normalerweise bin ich ja bekanntliches Buchcover Opfer. Aber in der heutigen zeit sind die Covers anders gestaltet als damals, und wahrscheinlich hat mir damals das Buchcover sehr gut gefallen. Der Titel passte zu der Geschichte, was ich auch sehr wichtig finde.

Ich konnte mir beim Klappentext so gar nichts darunter vorstellen. Ich hatte gedacht, dass die eine Person stirbt und die andere lebt und in einem Körper, aber es überraschte mich als ich dann die Geschichte las.

Es gab kein Stocken in der Geschichte. Der rote Faden ging bis zum Ende der Geschichte.

Der Schreibstil ist total flüssig und spannend geschrieben. Ich konnte einfach das Buch nicht mehr weg legen. Auch nachts raubte es meinen Schlaf, weil die Story einfach richtig gut war. Die Story ist richtig gut aufgebaut. Spannend passierte es sofort im ersten Kapitel und wurde aus zwei Sichten erzählt. Ich möchte vorneweg nicht viel verraten, deswegen halte ich sehr kurz. Das Ende hat mich total überrascht un geflasht, denn diese Lösung hatte ich wirklich nicht gerechnet.

Es war eines der bersten Bücher, das ich seit langem gelesen hab. Eine Geschichte, die die Autorin richtig gut durch dacht hat und kein ChiChi oder keine FIck Version inne hatte.

[Mari LovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

La couverture de cette éditions collector est juste magnifique (enfin je la trouvais magnifique !) et le résumé a titillé ma curiosité ! J'ai donc commencé ma lecture avec l'envie de découvrir cette romance qui semblait originale.

Jessica Taylor promène son chien dans un parc lorsqu'elle se prend un coups de foudre de plein fouet ! Lorsqu'elle se réveille, elle se retrouve dans le corps de Lauren Richardson, mère de 4 enfants. Paniquée, Jessica ne sait pas ce qui lui arrive... Jusqu'à ce qu'elle se réveille à nouveau mais dans son propre corps.
Mais à chaque fois que cette dernière s'endort, elle se réveille dans cette "vie parallèle"... Jessica est perdue, qui est-elle réellement ?

On alterne donc d'une vie à l'autre, c'est d'ailleurs ce qui fait toute l'originalité de cette histoire. Ce n'est pas une romance classique. Cette pointe de fantastique n'est pas pour autant de trop, elle est dosée comme il faut...
Même si ce côté fantasque peut déranger un peu au début car on suit Jessica de manière tout à fait normale (enfin même si, en soi, être frappé par la foudre n'est pas vraiment habituel !). Et cette normale se trouve confronté à ces événements qui sont tout sauf rationnel.
Cette originalité dans l'histoire m'a énormément plu. J'ai d'ailleurs ressenti le besoin d'en parler parce que cela me travaillait ! Et quand une histoire fait cet effet-là, c'est que le roman marque et donc que l'auteure a totalement réussi son histoire !

J'avoue que la fin m'a laissé assez dubitative... Je ne m'y attendais pas du tout ! Et je ne saurais dire si je l'ai aimé ou pas. Je ne savais pas si je devais crier de joie face à l'idée de génie de l'auteure ou bien être déçue !
Une chose est sûre c'est qu'elle ne m'a pas laissée indifférente. Je pourrais garder cette affirmation pour l'ensemble de cette histoire ! Qui en plus d'être originale est très addictive.

[Amina D'Anima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une romance très originale qui mêle drame et fantastique. En résumé j'ai trouvé l'intrigue touchante et attendrissante. l’héroïne Jessica est extra pas niaise ni naïve pour un sou. Au contraire c'est une battante, elle est tolérante, compréhensive, affectueuse, douce mais ferme et sure d'elle. Elle n'est pas dépourvu de défauts mais elle s'assume telle qu'elle est. Et ce que j'ai bien aimé dans sa personnalité c'est que quand elle se donne pour une cause ou pour quelqu'un elle se donne à 100%. J'ai également trouvé sa relation avec les enfants et la tante Karen très poignante. Avec Karen c'est #SistersGoals <3 Sa relation avec Dan était torride mais j'aurais qu'on s'attarde plus sur leur relation. Le papa de Dan est juste hilarant ça rajoute un peu d'humour à l'histoire. J'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé comment Jessica malgré tout ce qui l'oppose au personnage de Lauren, a su se mettre dans sa peau, en essayant de la comprendre sans jamais la juger ou la critiquer. C'était très noble de sa part surtout que certains choix de Lauren en ont sidéré plus d'un. La fin est super triste mais super cute <3 ça donne une petite touche d'espoir! ce n'est pas un coup de coeur car il m'a manqué un tout petit truc pour que je me mette à fondre complétement cependant j'ai passé un agréable moment. et je pense découvrir d'autres romans de cette auteur. :D

[Anki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Das Buch ist nicht schlecht, ich habe es grundsätzlich gerne gelesen. Allerdings ist mir Jessica/Lauren teilweise sehr auf die Nerven gegangen. Und manchmal hat es sich ein wenig gezogen und für Jessica war das Leben als frische vierfache Mutter erstaunlich einfach würde ich mal behaupten. Und dafür, dass sie nicht über Lauren urteilen wollte, hat sie erstaunlich viel geurteilt (wobei das ja menschlich ist, damit bin ich einverstanden).
Schade fand ich das Ende, was auf 30 Seiten alles über den Haufen geworfen hat und erst furchtbar und dann toll war, man aber einige Menschen dabei nicht beachtet hat.
Aber das Buch ist mal etwas anderes und auch wenn ich mehrere Kritikpunkte habe, hat es mich alles in allem gut unterhalten.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the parts with the children enough, but thought there would be more to the two souls concept. I guess I just have to believe it's a fantasy situation? I would be able to believe it if the rest of the story wasn't so realistic and normal.

I also did not like how the author killed off Jessica in the end. I understand she wanted a way for the character to end up with both Dan and the children, but it was a cop-out way to do it. I also HATED the love at first sight situation. I'm sorry that I don't believe in that, but I don't believe in it. I don't think you can love someone romantically upon first seeing them. It just ruined their relationship for me.

[Annekatrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It‘s more of a 4,6 than a 5, but I’ll give it all the stars. Really enjoyed this nice, quick read, even though its storyline was profound and emotional. Always love a tad of paranormal content and even though the ending was slightly predictable and the storyline felt preachy occasionally, I truly enjoyed the captivating ride and could barely stop reading. Along the way, I laughed and cried a little, was surprised, shocked and amused - basically anything than bored, and this is exactly how it should be.

[Nan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it deserves 3.5 stars from me should I have rated it 4 instead? Either way, I liked this book because I enjoy "what if" stories that make me wonder how I would handle the situation if I were in it. To enjoy this book you need to be able to just go with it and not over analyze or question realities. It wraps up like a predictable Hollywood romance would but so what? That can be fun. Not sure if that was a true spoiler or not - I didn't give details!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give the first half of the book 5 stars as I was drawn into it quickly and quite fascinated by the plot and curious about how it would be resolved in such a tricky situation. The last part of tje book was just so bizarre, theres no way anyone would believe someone claiming what the protagonist believed and the portrayal of tje family life was so bizarre and unrealistic. The ending was SO convenient and left me very unsatisfied.

[Raphaela Strohmayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a really interesting trope: A woman is hit by lightning and when she wakes up in hospital she is a mother of 4. When she wakes again she is in her normal life as a single woman with a dog again. She thinks it is all a dream until it keeps happening over and over. She finds proof that this is all really happening and this part is a bit slow. The end was quite surprising and quick though. But i was fine with how it ended.

[Elhaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai vraiment dévoré ce roman. Les personnages sont intéressants et attachants et leurs relations et interactions sont puissantes, touchantes et pleines d'émotions. Étant une maman moi-même, j'ai particulièrement aimé la relation entre la nouvelle Lauren et les enfants et tout particulièrement avec Teddy. Merci à ma bibliothécaire pour ses bons conseils.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich finde die Idee des Buches sehr gut und interessant. Man kann der Handlung sehr gut folgen und ist gut geschrieben. Für meinen Geschmack ist das Buch manchmal etwas zu sentimental beziehungsweise stockend geschrieben und es gab eine Sache, die keinen Sinn ergab. Das Ende kam auch sehr überraschend, aber war wirklich ein wunderschönes Ende.

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A novel that successfully ticks all the boxes for a great body swap novel. Well written novel with believable characters, and a satisfying conclusion. It was hard to get a hold of this novel, yet this was one of the best bodyswap books for a mature audience!

[Maree Rexroad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different for me.

I don’t usually read time travel books but this one really put a hold on me from the beginning. During the reading I kept thinking “this is not for me.” But I kept on and was delighted with the ending. I will read more from this author.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah this book is od so good. I found it super confusing at some parts yk sonce she changes prople. especially when she goes to see herself hahaha. but i really liked it. quick read. took me like 3 days haha def recommend

[Leeann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light hearted summer read- especially if you can suspend disbelief and just go with it. :)