This book follows the unexpected friendship between two women, Eve and Audrey and their tangled lives during World War II. Both women came from different backgrounds but their friendship grew stronger despite everything. The premise drew me in quickly and it was a quick read. I love the realism of their complicated friendship and how the author focuses on the strengths that women carried during WWII. As much as I loved the ending, I felt like it wrapped up too perfectly and everyone forgave each other too soon.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Tyndale House Publishing for a copy for my honest review.

This novel follows two friends who struggle to survive in WWII. The novel is told from two points of views and the timelines alternately switch between characters. It was an emotional novel, but I did not agree with some of the characters’ actions. I recommend this for fans of Kate Morton, Luanne Rice, and Melanie Dobson!

A lovely historical fiction centered on best friends, Eve and Audrey. They are from different places in society but have a genuine friendship that helps them survive war torn London and later the hardships of adulthood.
It wasn’t my favorite of Austin’s. A bit hard to follow.

A lovely historical fiction centered on best friends, Eve and Audrey. They are from different places in society but have a genuine friendship that helps them survive war torn London and later the hardships of adulthood.

This is a dual timeline story with plots in 1940 and 1950. Eve and Audrey have known each other since they were girls. Eve's mother served as a lady's maid for Audrey's mother and Audrey was always taught the difference between the classes. In 1940, this doesn't matter anymore, as both Audrey and Eve do what they can for the war effort. They become ambulance drivers, battling constant danger together. As the class system crumbles, Eve is planning on a relationship with Audrey's brother who is off fighting. Audrey falls in love with an American, they get married and have a son. When she gets word that he has been killed, Audrey is invited to the US to live with his family. Audrey does not want to leave everything she knows, including her father, so she stays put in England. Eve falls in love with Audrey's husband's friend and has a child out of wedlock. These two women have decisions to make as the war ends. In 1950, Audrey has nowhere to go, so heads to the US to meet her husband's family, but when she arrives, she finds that her longtime friend Eve Dawson has been impersonating her for the past four years.

This was an interesting story. I can't imagine what both Eve and Audrey were feeling when they came face to face after so many years. The characters and the story were very well developed. Two best friends, two families, two men, two little boys and a shared life. The story tells about the meeting of the women as girls, how they met the men they loved and the devastation Audrey had to deal with when family secrets were finally shared. I enjoyed learning about the past and all that happened and how Audrey and Eve ended up where they were in 1950. This is Christian Fiction, so faith comes into play when decisions need to be made about revealing the truth. The ending was a bit predictable, but I still enjoyed this story. I recommend this one to those who enjoy Christian Fiction, with an Historical Plotline.

If I Were You by Lynn Austin is a stand-alone World War Two story about two friends from different backgrounds growing up together. Each girl is jealous of the other. Audrey, the rich girl, envies Eve, the servant, for her close family ties. Eve envies Audrey her money and class status. They grow up to be best friends. When Audrey’s decides to go to America for a fresh start with her young son, she finds that Eve has been impersonating her for the last four years! Reading thru the story, you grow to love both girls; Eve with her outgoing personality and the reserved, shy Audrey. I enjoyed the glimpse the author gave us of life during those terrifying years of uncertainty. The indomitable British spirit shown thru with a bright beacon of hope! I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow start for me but after a couple of chapters I was hooked.


I received this book from the author for my honest review.

Love Lynn Austin books! This is an incredible story of two friends that have some difficult choices to make. I love the way faith is weaved throughout. Highly recommendes.

"If I Were You" is everything I love about Lynn Austin's historical fiction: well-researched, split time, likable characters, believable storyline, friendship, faith, romance, suspense... I took my time reading this because I had been waiting so long for it and wanted to savor it. Sure enough, I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited that Audrey and Eve's story will continue in an upcoming Christmas novella. Also, I'm glad to see there's an audio version narrated in a lovely British accent. I can hear my voice in my head when I read, and my American accent was not cutting it!

I've only read one or two other novels by this author, the other was a Regency as I recall. So this was different. The storyline of two young women from opposite ends of the social spectrum in the Second World War vaguely reminded me of some TV series, but it was very well executed.

Audrey and Eve represented the experiences of British people during the war, and how it changed society, and their story explored themes such as women's roles, faith, love and loss. In the midst of one of the defining events of the 20th century. Whilst Audrey's faith was strengthened, Eve's was tested and seemingly lost, an event which led to some mistakes and poor life choices.
I always appreciate it when Christian Fiction authors can handle and represent controversial subjects in a sensitive but realistic way. i.e not shying away from them, or denying personal responsibility, but also not presenting these things as unforgivable.

Both women eventually grow and learn through adversity, and the loss of most of those meant most to them. At the end, it is a story of faith and freindship restored. Although Eve loses her faith, and returns in the end, this is not presented in a negative way, as happens in some books of this genre, and the author doesn't hit the reader over the head with religious messages. Instead, the message of grace and forgiveness is presented in a timely and inspirational way.

I'd recommend this book for all lovers of Historical Fiction and WW2 Fiction, as well as books with strong female characters.

Thanks to Tyndale House for approving my request for this title. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

I've not read any of Lynn Austin's books before so I didn't know what to expect. It had a great start but then it took a nosedive when Eve moves to America and impersonates Audrey for five years until Audrey shows up on the doorstep of her in-laws home only to find Eve. I felt like the story was very drawn out and hard to follow.

I enjoyed all the history woven into this story. Lynn always does such a great job including quality research for her novels. And the title for this book is perfect. You have two girls who were so different (one rich and one poor), and both of them envied each other's lives. It's easy to see why Eve would be envious of Audrey, but i think it was good to see that Audrey envied Eve too. Money doesn't solve all of your problems. This story compels the reader to imagine what life is like for someone else. It really is true you have no idea what another person's life is like unless you walk a mile in their shoes. Lynn Austin's story takes into account several different subjects--love, adultery, fornication, pride, and greed to name a few. But the biggest theme throughout this story is forgiveness. Over and over, Audrey and Eve find that in order to have a good relationship, forgiveness must be present not only for each other, but also for themselves.

***I received this complimentary book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

In the historical war-based fiction of If I Were You by Lynn Austin there is found war, love, loss, and forgiveness. Lynn pens another story that intertwines some interesting character plots and story lines. I would say that if you haven’t read her work, you should and if you have read her work, this one will not disappoint a Lynn Austin reader. My favorite part of this story is the weaving of the restoration that was needed. Beautifully done.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on CBD, B&N

I love this book! If I Were You by Lynn Austin offers a fresh take on historical fiction, focusing on the friendship between two women throughout their difficult childhoods, the world war, and each woman’s tumultuous path to personal recovery. I enjoyed following their journey together, and I loved the redemptive, hopeful way the story ended.

I was riveted from page one of this book! I could not figure out how the characters and Austin would sort things out in the end and in the end I was not disappointed. Austin has a special way of creating the most amazing and real life characters, you tend to forget that they are not real! I laughed, I cried, I fretted over what was to come, this book truly captured my imagination from start to finish. WWII is one of my favorite times in history to read and learn about and this novel gave me so much new information that I didn't know. Bravo! One of her best yet!

"I'm to give all that I am to help others so that God is glorified." is hands down, my favorite quote from this beautiful and well-written historical fiction novel!

What a fatastic tale Lynn Austin has expertly written! Seriously, this story is so fabulous.

A story of undeserved forgiveness, reminders that there are consequences for poor decisions, friendships that withstand the tests of life, and so much more is explored in this treasure of a read.

It had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, so much so in fact, that I finished it in two days!

100% recommend this book and all I can say is - This book most definitely and assuredly needs a sequel!

***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***

World War II homefront England is my favorite historical time period to read about and Lynn Austin did a magnificent job painting a picture of this time period up through the 1950s. I loved how the lives of these two characters with such different backgrounds became intertwined, and that their friendship lasted through these differences, the hardships they faced, and the deception of one of the women. This was an uplifting story about forgiveness and faith that I really enjoyed.

"I'm to give all that I am to help others so that God is glorified." This is not a bad quote to live by. And the story in this book lives this out.

To save lives - that's why Audrey drove an ambulance in World War II. And that's why Robert was killed, but I won't say how or when because that is a spoiler.

"What might God be asking you to do?" The vicar posed this question to Audrey as she sat immobilized. And again, I think this is a quote or a question we would all do well to consider.

What a story!! Forgiveness, consequences, friendship, so much is rolled up in this 430 page historical fiction novel. It was a spell-binding book that left me flipping ahead to see what happened. Yes, I know it's a bit shameful, but sometimes I just can't wait to read every word to know how the story ends. I can't sit on pins and needles that long, even if I'm pretty sure how the story will end. It's a good book that makes me do that.

Lynn Austin rates as one of my favorite authors. She writes big fat books (which is a huge plus) that are riveting and captivating and gives you a bit of a let down when you turn the last page and the story is done. This book needs a sequel so bad because I want to know more about Audrey and Eve and how their friendship grew and changed in the next few years of their lives.

I highly recommend this book. It's a heartwarming story that is sobering at the same time as you see the consequences of sin and deceit and the long-term effects they can have.

I received this book from Tyndale via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The dual timelines weave an interesting storyline of Eve and Audrey.

One timeline is 1940 during WWII, set in London and the second in 1950 as the two heroines, Eve and Audrey are clearly going through very different situations set in each place and time.
Friends for years, Eve and Audrey are from different social classes and perspectives, but all is equalizes as soon as the Germans start bombing London. They both join the fight as ambulance drivers and each navigate their journeys as the bombs fall.
But when the timeline is set in 1950, Audrey and her son leave England to America to stay with her relatives, only to discover Eve has presented to be Audrey for years.
Twisting the timelines proves to be challenging and with the case of Eve impersonating Audrey, the back and forth can be a tad confusing at times, but the rich layering of dealing with their faiths during a war and finding forgiveness is touching and powerful.

*I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

If I Were You is a compelling book by Lynn Austin. The story of long-time friends Eve and Audrey will draw you in to where you won't be able to stop reading since you just HAVE to find out what happens to them! I love a good World War II story and this certainly is one of the best I've read this past year. Lynn's wartime descriptions are so realistic that you will hurt for those who lived through it. The themes of sacrifice and forgiveness run deep in this amazing book.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Have you spent Sunday evenings deeply involved in the lives of Lady Mary and her maid Anna Bates? Were you always ready to join Downton Abbey’s kitchen staff for tea and gossip? Do you wonder how everyone’s lives would change as WWII approached? If so, you might just want to read Lynn Austin’s IF I WERE YOU. It’s the story of two young women raised at Wellingford Hall: Audrey, the shy aristocratic daughter of the manor, and Eve, the spunky daughter of a hard-working lady’s maid whose husband died in WWI. An unlikely friendship between the two arises and as they enter young adulthood, Eve will help Audrey overcome many fears, and through Audrey, Eve will get peaks into a world she never expected to experience. In adulthood, the differences in class rise front and center. Eve leaves behind the beloved countryside to become a typist and earn a living; Audrey is expected to attract a wealthy husband. But then the war happens, and as bombs drop on British soil, life for every British citizen changes. The differences among the classes diminish as people seek shelter in the dark hours of the night, as everyone faces rationing. Even the king’s daughter learns how to fix jeeps and serve in the military. Both Audrey and Eve sign on to be lorry and ambulance drivers. Each day of the war changes the two friends. One moves closer to God and a faith she’d never experienced before; the other, seemingly strong on the outside, finds herself hardening her heart against the God her granny had loved so. Then the Americans arrive on British soil and both their lives change yet again. Lynn Austin is a master of writing believable, captivating stories and this latest novel is a true winner. Like real life, this story is filled with an unbelievable blend of poor, selfish choices balanced by courageous actions, numbing fear followed by steps of faith. I just finished a secular book which also featured love based on poor choices, life based on deception. The tone and path to resolution of this novel outshines the other on every page. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are mine.