User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
endorsement:
Lynn Austin’s tradition of masterful historical fiction continues in If I Were You: an impeccably researched look into the lives of two remarkable women living in the echoes of War and the past that sews them together. Her unparalleled skill at evoking the past--from the Blitz-bombed London of the early 40s to the promised land of post War America -- will appeal to fans of Ariel Lawton and Lisa Wingate. While long time fans will appreciate this introspective tale from a writer who deeply feels the nuances of human nature, those uninitiated will immediately recognize why her talented pen has led her to near legendary status in the realm of inspirational fiction. An unforgettable read.
Rating: really liked it
This book was amazing. The characters and the story were very well developed. Two best friends, two families, two men, two little boys and one great and meaningful story. This story took me places that i have never been before in a book and i loved it all.
The ending (last 3 chapters) were a little off for me but even with that what a story.
Rating: really liked it
Fantastic historical fiction with a deft plot twist. The story of Eve and Audrey will appeal to a wide audience. There is a Downton Abbey vibe that runs throughout as the two young women are on opposite sides of the culture divide between nobility and domestic staff. They meet in the woods as young girls and forge a formidable bond in the ambulance corps. Some foundational questions rear their heads throughout. Where is the Good Shepherd in the midst of the horrors of the battlefield? Can one be happy while living a life with little money? Is money and a title the ticket to happiness? I really loved this new book by Lynn Austin and will be recommending it right and left. Highly recommended!
Thank you to Tyndale Fiction and Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half or so of this novel, but the tail end, once the two friends were reunited in the United States, the storyline became predictable, preachy and unbelievable. Forgiveness is wonderful, but for the deep deception involved here, the forbiveness of everyone involved happened far too easily and quickly. And the writing was a bit sophmoric. Two stars.
Rating: really liked it
If I Were You was amazing! I've heard wonderful things about Lynn Austin's books for a while, but I've never actually read one until now…I've been missing out!
From the first chapter I was captured by the characters and their story. The book switches from present time to the past and yet it is easy to follow along. Because of the way it is written, I found myself trying to figure things about before they were revealed…and sometimes I was right, but others I was completely wrong.
All in all, If I Were You was a book I didn't want to stop reading and it took me on an emotional roller coaster. I highly recommend it!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Rating: really liked it
This book grabbed me and never let go until the last page was turned. I was with Eve and Audrey right from the time they met, with the bombs as they dropped, as they fell in love, suffered tragedies and just tried to survive.
The prologue drew me in, and I love the the author answered everyone of my questions that came up as I read this novel, and they may not be what I wanted to hear, but I know what happened.
This book is powerful in its emotions, and we are watching as it unfolds, and just when you think all the terrible things are over, nope, keep turning those pages. What a wonderful movie this would make, right up there with the best films.
You don't want to miss this one, it is a treasure, and a keeper.
I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.
Rating: really liked it
Full disclosure: I listened to the audiobook and let me just say that if you love audiobooks this one is a MUST listen! The narrator was fantastic and I think really made the story come to life.
This was my first Lynn Austin novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it--even when I didn't thoroughly enjoy one of the characters. Eve Dawson wasn't my favorite character but Ms. Austin handled the flaws of Eve with delicacy to bring out the theme of forgiveness beautifully. For that reason alone, I could get over my issues with this character.
Split time, the plot was a nice change to the typical ones I see in WW2 stories. The writing was superb and all of the characters (flaws and all) were compelling enough to keep me anxious to return to the story when I was forced to take a break.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Austin's books and highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a fantastic story.
Rating: really liked it
I really struggled with that ending. There's no way EVERYONE is that forgiving.
Rating: really liked it
If I Were You was classic Lynn Austin, meaning its pages were filled with history come to life and people with stories to tell. I always feel richer after finishing one of her novels- richer in knowledge, spiritual lessons, and enjoyment (because her books are always a pleasure to read!).
This book started off right away with letting you in on jaw-dropping news, so you have an idea of where the story is headed and you get a little preparation for a few surprises. However, it wasn’t too much because there was always that level of anticipation in wanting to know how they got to that point!
The friendship between Audrey and Eve, a main focus of the novel, was full of bumps in the road as the class system as they knew it began to break down and change in the wake of WWII. They faced the horrific bombings of England together and encouraged each other, but there were gaps in their friendship as they went through life. Friendships have different seasons as life goes on, and that’s just a fact. It’s also fact though that friendship can endure through all those seasons. I really liked how the novel touched on those ideas and the overall theme of friendship in this novel.
My one thing is that I would have liked to see the book not end so soon! It wrapped up a little too quickly in my opinion and for a second I thought a couple of chapters were missing. I want to know more about what happens next for the characters, but I guess I’ll have to leave that to my imagination (I think I am just not ready to leave the book behind, ha!).
4 stars!
Rating: really liked it
This book really needs to let people know up front it's Christian fiction as I never would have started it had I known. I stuck with it because I wanted to know how the switch took place and then how "reveal" would be handled. Should have known it would have some perfect fairy tale ending.
Rating: really liked it
Two young girls dare to cross English social barriers and embrace each other in friendship. Audrey comes from an aristocratic and privileged family. Nobles, Britain's finest of families. Eve comes from a poor family. Her mother is a lady in waiting for Audrey's mother. Eve at such a young age is a housekeeping maid forced to scrub floors and clean away ashes from the fireplaces. Aristocratic children are forbidden to befriend commoners like Eve but despite what's acceptable and what isn't the two girls form a friendship that lasts through a war and the years afterwards. This is their story about all the struggles, mistakes and most importantly forgiveness because that plays a strong part in this story.
This is by far my most favorite book I've read in 2021. It was beautifully narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. Lynn Austin brought World War Two back to readers with such a clarity that I felt like I was right there with Eve and Audrey. I was completely drawn in from the beginning. The author didn't rush the story, which actually began before the war and ended in the post war years. I loved all the characters because they were strong and each one played an important role in the story. The importance of forgiveness was a strong point as the story came to an end. Definitely five stars and if I could I would give it six stars.
I recommend this book to readers of WWII novels. All fans of the Author will enjoy it.
I borrowed an audio copy of If I Were You from the Hoopla library. A review was not requested. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Rating: really liked it
Interesting and plausible WWII tale about two young women living in England. Audrey lives in a manor and is accustomed to opulence and servants. Eve lives in the village near the manor and her family struggles to survive financially. While Audrey has all the wealth she could ever need, she years for love and acceptance. Eve has a bounty of love and envies Audrey's wealth. Their story spans many years and takes a number of twists and turns. The broad message to seek God's direction and to be thankful for the gifts in front of us is a good one.
Rating: really liked it
~ Audiobook Review ~
I love the way Lynn Austin writes, she takes you on a journey with the Characters that is so deep and realistic. ‘If I Were You’ is set in 1931-1950 England and 1950 USA following two unlikely childhood friends that prove to be a strength to each other as they courageously face the destruction and fears of daily life during WWII.
It’s refreshing to have a story that doesn’t revolve around romance but rather focuses on the ups and downs of life, friendship and faith. There is some romance but it’s not the main plot. It’s not a perfect friendship, it’s got its strengths and also it’s weaknesses. Sometimes they are close and other times distant but they are always better people together than apart.
The characters are very human, the devestation of war clouds their judgment, they sin, they make mistakes with consequences, they are held back by their personalities, they have family pressures and they aren’t always good friends to eachother.
I learnt about the war from an angle I hadn’t seen it from before. It was an England perspective but it was a lot more sober and realistic of the devastation and emotions that would have been experienced. The need to daily have courage to keep moving on even on the darkest of days, to help their country win the war. This book looked at angles of the war that I hadn’t read about before: Receiving the child evacuees, aristocracy, black out curtains, ATS, bombs & V1s, Princess Elizabeth’s role during the war, and of course more.
Series: I am so excited that Audrey & Eve will be returning in a Christmas novella (to be released in 2 years) I cannot wait to hear how things turn out for them, I wasn’t ready for their story to end just yet.
I don’t think it is a series but I am looking forward to more WWII from Lynn, the next is to be based in Holland which I’m excited for! And she also has some American based WWII novels if you haven’t read those yet.
Content: war bride; child out of wedlock; drunk (not the main heroins); cigarettes (mentioned frequently); courage; pressures to have premarital sex; death of loved ones; one graphic injury (ch20); adultery; reported suicidal murder; walking away from Christianity; lies; fraud; Christianity; bible verses.
Spiritual lessons: Envy; Forgiveness; Luke 15:4; sin; repentance; redemption; made new in Christ;
Audio Performance: 10/10
*Heart Eyes* Sarah Zimmerman is a favorite narrator of mine so I was excited when I saw she would be narrating this one! Great with accents Sarah gives a fully-voiced solo performance that brings the characters to life in vibrant Colour.
Also the Audiobook setup is 10/10 too, the chapters are labeled with location & date, which is so helpful!
Author: Lynn Austin
Narrator: Sarah Zimmerman
Length: 13hrs 13mins (unabridged)
Released: 02-Jun-2020
Platform: Audible
Publisher: Tyndale House
Rating: really liked it
If I Were You looks back to WWII in England and the unlikely friendship of Eve Dawson and Audrey Clarkson. Eve is a servant and Audrey is from an aristocratic family. Yet their friendship is made stronger through their service to their country in the awful war. Ms Austin takes us to diverse places during the years of 1939 through the end of the war and beyond. The girls do their part in the boat rescue of soldiers at Dunkirk and end up at ATS ( Auxiliary Territorial Service) Motor Transportation Center as drivers of ambulances and trucks just like Princess Elizabeth. This book is rich in depiction of the war years and what people went through in their daily lives. The scenes of bomb shelters and the aftermath of the bombings is heartrending.
Faith is a strong component in this story. Both Audrey and Eve grow during this time. Ms. Austin shows how we are all fallible and how forgiveness is healing to those doing the forgiving and those who are forgiven.
Quote: “That was the destructive power of sin and lies- they harmed the innocent along with the guilty. Hitler’s lies had dragged the entire world into six long years of hell.”
The message is hope in the One who bestows forgiveness, because none are exempt from condemnation. But “ The Good Shepherd had come to fetch His lost sheep and bring her home.”
This was a sobering look at the devastation of war. At the same time, friendship, love, forgiveness and faith resonate through this book.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Rating: really liked it
An unlikely friendship and a fascinating story.
Audrey and Eve are friends in 1930's England. Audrey is from an aristocratic family; Eve is from the working class. Eve's mother is lady in waiting to Audrey's mother. Audrey's mother would be mortified if she knew how close they had become. But Audrey envies Eve: Eve's zest for life and family relationships. Audrey envied Eve for being raised in a community surrounded by loving people.
Their lives continue to be intertwined until the 1950's. The story takes an interesting turn which is revealed early in the book. It is intriguing to see how this 'turn' plays out.
I plan to offer this book as a read for my book club in August. I hope they love it as much as I did.
5 stars
