This book is consistent with other thought-provoking books by Lynn Austin. It talks about the friendship between two women from different social classes, and how it pulses from having a great impact on each other's lives to a type of indifference/anger. This book jumps from London's bombing in 1945 to 1950, back to 1931 multiple times. It was an excellent story, but I felt the time jumps may have prevented me from appreciating the characters.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I just finished reading a pre-release copy of Lynn Austin's new book If I Were You: A Novel. It was fabulous! If you like historical fiction, this is a must read.
Eve and Audrey were unlikely best friends. Audrey was "to the manor born," and Eve was the daughter of a lady's maid. Audrey was shy and did not like to take risks; Eve was courageous and grasp hold of the joys of each day. Audrey has a marginal faith; Eve had the deep faith taught by her grandmother and mother. Each envied the life of the other.
The events of WWII changed both young women. Eve lost her family, her home, and eventually her faith. Audrey's faith grew as did her courage. Together they waged their own war on Hitler by becoming ambulance drivers. They were part of the horrors of the bombings of London and Liverpool. Together, they grew to love two American servicemen. Audrey married her young man; Eve could not because he was married.
It is a story of heartbreaking tragedy, unrelenting courage, and friendship forged in the fires of war....A story of forgiveness, faith, and hope for the future.
#ifiwereyouanovel

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

I really enjoyed how the characters developed in this book. At times I was rooting for Audrey and then another layer would be added to the story and then I was going for Eve!

I did not want to put this book down and really enjoyed it!

If I Were You: A Novel
A Novel
by Lynn Austin
Tyndale House Publishers
Tyndale Fiction
Christian | Historical Fiction
Pub Date 02 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 02 Aug 2020

Another great read by the author, Lynn Austin! This is a great historical fiction and Christian read. I find the balance about right and look forward to recommending this to our readers.
'Thanks to Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishing for providing the ARC for me to read and review.

This book, like several I have read recently, starts out as one type of book and then veers off into another genre. This book starts out as a historical fiction book--showing British life, in the city and the country, class differences in that society, and the historical events of WWII, but then in the middle of the book it changes to a "Christian" novel, full of platitudes and scripture passages. In fact, it gets bogged down in it. The book had a great story to tell and I think it would have been better if it had just stuck to that story. I would give this book a top grade for the story and the premise of switching lives, but the Christian theme of the book just got tiresome.

Lynn Austin did a beautiful job bringing history to life. During this time of Covid-19 quarantine, getting a glimpse into life in and around London during WWII gave me a new perspective on what we are enduring.

Throughout the book there are multiple examples of how desperate times lead one to do things that would normally be unthinkable. Some of these examples show extreme bravery and sacrificial choices for the good of another, while others show compromises of morality and yet others show a little of both.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the privilege of reading an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I really liked this book, as I do almost any book Lynn Austin writes!
The story of the close and unlikely friendship between Audrey (rich girl) and Eve (poor girl and servant in Audrey’s home) was a compelling one for me. Their periods of closeness come and go through several years until they find themselves both volunteering during WWII as ambulance drivers as well as being roommates. The description of the London bombings were very real and were hard to read about.
Some romance comes into each girl’s life and surprising things occur in each of their lives.
No spoiler alerts, but they eventually both end up in the US after the war. The author seemed to leave the ending of their story a bit inconclusive which kind of frustrated me. I love happy endings all tied up in a bow!
Readers of historical fiction would enjoy this book, I think.
I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. 4-1/2 stars!

I loved the format of different time periods intermingled throughout. The beginning is such an intriguing scene that readers will not want to stop reading. The characters were interesting and very realistic. Readers will empathize with Audrey and Eve doubts of God's love that each had at different times. Faith in God is a strong theme in this story. I loved that Audrey and Eve kept returning to their faith in God. Highly recommended!

This is the first book that I have read by this author, but if If I Were You is any indication of her body of work as a whole, there is no doubt as to why Lynn Austin is a Christy Awards Hall of Famer! This story is absolutely fantastic!

If I Were You tells the story of the unlikely friendship of two women living in England during WWII- Audrey and Eve. They met as children from two very different classes- Eve and her mother working as servants in Audrey's family home. The story covers the span of their friendship, going back and forth from those initial meetings to Audrey arriving in America in 1950 to discover that Eve has taken her place. The majority of course covers their experiences during the war. Now, I must admit I don't always care for this type of story that bounces back and forth between various timelines, but this one was done beautifully. I found that this format for this particular story actually kept me more in the story, wondering just how exactly these two friends had reached this point.

I also found it an intriguing look at what life in England was like during this time. Much of my knowledge of WWII comes from more of the perspective of America's role in the war, and the impact here in the States. That experience clearly is far different than what those in England experienced living in the midst of it. It was fascinating and clearly very well researched.

There were messages of faith and forgiveness, and even some romance... but more than anything, this truly was a beautiful story of friendship and sisterhood...and one that I absolutely adored. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is one you will most certainly want to read!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

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.

I've never read anything by this author, but I'm likely to look for future books.

I liked how Eve and Audrey seemed to balance each other other, all the while bringing out the best in the other.
I enjoy books about WWII, so I enjoyed how that was built into the story. It's obvious that Austin did her research. The faith element is not preachy, and it serves as a reminder of how God's ways are better than ours. At the core, it's a story of forgiveness and second chances.

World War II is a fascinating genre to dive into. I honestly believe it is the last generation full of heroes who would die for this country. So when I read the synopsis for Lynn Austin's latest novel, If I Were You, I couldn't wait to read it. I was nice to see a story that takes place during the Blitz in London. Most stories enjoy sharing about Hilter's regime in lower Europe. Not that England wasn't thrown for a huge disaster too; it was just nice to read something a little different. I loved seeing Eve and Audrey as they struggled with crossing the lines of money and kept their friendship going strong. This story was a delightful way to spend a couple of days. I got lost in the story and enjoyed the ending. It fit well for the whole purpose of the story. Overall, If I Were You by Lynn Austin takes readers for a ride through the horrors of World War II but allow the friendship of two women to hang on the balance. A delightful story. A must read for fans of Sarah Sundin, Melanie Dobson, and Cathy Gohlke.

I received a complimentary copy of If I Were You by Lynn Austin from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I did not finish this book. I think I misunderstood the description. I really thought this would be historical fiction meets psychological thriller. I am not familiar with the author, so I guess that would have given me a clue that this would not be a sinister tale. Note to self: research a little more before choosing a book. The fifty or so pages that I read were written well, but just not enough to keep me engrossed.

Lynn Austin has woven another unforgettable historical novel set during WWII and its aftermath. It is the story of two unlikely friends, Eve Dawson and Audrey Clarkson, who though from two different classes unite to fight as ambulance drivers to help England. At the end of the war both friends face difficult decisions on how to move forward. Eve decides to take on Audrey’s identity and move to America with her son and take on a new life as the widow of her American serviceman Robert. What will happen when Audrey shows up four years later? Will they be able to forgive each other of past hurts, restore their friendship, and become the person God intended them to be?
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so pleased to get an ARC copy of IF I WERE YOU by LYNN AUSTIN, as she is one of my favourite authors, and I was definitely not disappointed in the book. What a lovely story, so beautifully told, and with a really good Christian message. The characters are very believable and we are taken on a real roller coaster of emotions with them.
Eve Dawson & Audrey Clarkson meet in the woods when they are twelve - Eve comes from a poor but loving family and Audrey & her brother Alfie live with every privilege the upper class has to offer, but receive no affection from their parents. This unlikely pair become best friends, but their friendship is not without challenges.
I like the way they seem to bring out the best in each other, with Eve, who seems to be fearless, encouraging Audrey to not be afraid. We see how brave they are during the war and how their characters change with all they go through.
The war changes everything for the English, class distinction meanng less and less as the British work together to save their country from Nazi domination. The book is well researched and the description of England under Nazi attack is eye opening.
In this story we are reminded of the importance of following God's way for our lives rather than our own. We are also reminded of God's kindness and forgiveness towards us, and of the twenty third psalm where we learn about the Good Shepherd who will neither leave nor forsake us.
It is a story about second chances, and the importance of forgiveness, especially towards oneself.
I cannot recommend If I Were You strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by Tyndale House Publishers from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.