“The Woman Who Met Herself” is by Laura Pearson. I really liked the premise of this book - what happens when you meet someone who looks just like you. Is it a twin? Is it a doppelgänger? Is there some odd magical realism rip in parallel universes? That part I found interesting - along with the women trying to figure out what happened. But while that was rather fun, this book wasn’t what I expected. There is a lot of narration - and a lot of telling not showing. There are also a lot of side stories and, honestly, I felt this book was just way too “one note” for my enjoyment - it plods on, neither merrily nor sadly, but just goes on. There are side stories - that seem to take away from the main focus, yet round out the characters, but - I don’t know, it just didn’t work for me.

For the most part, I enjoyed this book However, I felt there was way too much detail and side stories. At times, the author seemed intent on telling us what was happening instead of showing us. There was too much narration for my taste.

However, I really liked the premise, which was unique, and I also liked watching each of the twin sisters grow and change after they found one another and opened up to a new sisterly relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars. Laura is my go to writer for heartwarming “slice of life” stories, and this one starts with two women bumping into each other on a doorstep, having no idea the other one exists… and yet they are clearly identical twins. What follows on is the story of how they and their families adjust to this, how both women change as a result of each other’s influence, and how it’s never to late to make changes to your life…

It’s heartwarming and I loved Ruth and Debbie - I’d recommend this if you need a hug in book form.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I have read al, of the authors books with this one being my favourite, I loved how this book was set in Leicestershire a place that I used to live, I loved the story and all the characters and without giving any spoilers away I would say Ruth is my favourite character in this book, this book touches on Alzheimer's and having worked with people with this condition for 4years the author has done a good job mention this in the book

I wish the author all the best with this book and thank you to NetGalley &the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for this review

I absolutely loved Pearson’s The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, so it was no surprise that this one was a great read as well!

I love the premise: imagine your doorbell rings, and when you answer it, you and the person standing there are both equally shocked to see someone who looks exactly like you.

While this is a relatively quiet novel, it is never boring. I loved that Debbie’s life, while seemingly lonely without a spouse or children, is actually the fuller one given her remarkable ability to connect with and care about people. I enjoyed spending time with both women, and loved seeing Ruth come into her own.

Notable quote:
‘“God, Mum. Why? At this stage of your life?”
What does he mean by that? If you’ ve managed to get to this point, you might as well just stick it out until the end, like a fairground ride you’re not enjoying but which can’t be stopped partway through?’

I think I expected a more magical/mysterious story than this turned out to be. It's an enjoyable read about two women who have had very different childhoods but who become hugely important to each other. A story of middle age, change, hope and friendship.

I really like Laura Pearson's books so was excited to receive an early copy of her latest. Debbie works for a mental health charity and is going door to door collecting donations. She knocks on a door and is shocked to find the woman that answers is her spitting image. This is how she meets her sister Ruth, separated from her at birth. The women have very different lives but form a strong bond as they figure out what led them here. It's a fun idea and a decent read.

I generally try not to have favourite authors because I find I'm so pleasantly surprised by so many that any one could be that current favourite. But I'll be honest, Laura Pearson has always been in that top spot, and she knows how much I love her work. I'm not shy about shouting from the rooftops about how much I love it.

If my maths is right, so far Laura has published 7 books (this is the 8th). Including this one, I have read 6, and currently have Missing Pieces, and Nobody's Wife on my shelf to hopefully read soon.

I acknowledge it will be hard to write as thorough review as I'd like about this book, because I would spoil it, and I think it's best going in blind, but I'll try to give you something.

With 8 billion+ people in the world, the odds are there will be at least one other person who looks like you (if you're not a twin/triplet etc); there's only so many ways you can arrange facial features. But our face is something we only link to us, so it is a bit of a horror to find someone else who has it.

One thing I love about Laura's books generally, is that they tend to have a fantasy element to it, a bit of magic. But they have heart and soul and reality buried deep. This one is less fantasy than some of her previous ones, and yet I still felt that hint of magic throughout it; it's like it's a recognisable story and recognisable characters but with an added spark.

Ruth and Debbie are our main two woman and I could instantly see them and hear them. They were so effortlessly written like they were people I knew, and I immediately wanted to be part of their gang.

There are some difficult topics touched upon: dementia, grief, bereavement, death, secrets, breakups, job losses, sexuality, mental illness, family complications.

But there's also so much positivity too. There's family, new friends, opportunities, love, hope, joy. It's such a heartwarming and cosy story, which shouldn't surprise mas all of Laura's books are like that.

I have always said Laura's books are five stars and this is no different. There are some authors where you like some of their books but maybe not others. But the way Laura writes, not to sound too sappy, is like silk, like poetry. It's so seamless and perfect that I know 100% I will fall in love with every single one of her books, and I sure hope she's got a lot more up her sleeves.

I've loved all her books that I've read, but my top two have always been The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, and The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine (now called The Life and Loves of Becca Valentine), and whilst all her others have been five star perfect reads, none have managed to wriggle into that top spot, but this may just have. I think it's a toss up between the three as to who gets the five stars plus that extra praise. I love them all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This story is about two women who at the age of 62 discover they are identical twins, so now the mystery begins of their exact backstory - are they both adopted or just one of them and whose mother is the birth mother? The author says she thought of the plot after watching Three Identical Strangers, which, if you haven't yet, is a must-see documentary about triplets and the sinister reason behind their separation at birth.

I'm generally very fond of Laura Pearson's books and have given several of them five stars but I don't know what to do with this one. Her books usually feature a lovely little bit of magical realism that elevates the story but there is none of this here, and consequently the story feels quite mundane.

It burbles along rather sedately, showing us the different lives of Ruth and Debbie, their families and friends and even throwing in a bit of romance, as well as a mother with dementia. The book is well-written and the premise and family dynamics interesting but the plot felt quite monotone - it's neither very funny nor very sad.

This is a well thought out read about Ruth and Debbie, twins who grew up separately and never knew of the others existence until a chance encounter brings them face to face. There are lots of complexities to this book beyond them try to get to know each other whilst unravelling their backstory and it considers the pressures of motherhood and moving on later in life too. There’s some interesting dynamics especially when you take Ruth’s sister and family into account and the impact the discovery of her twin has on them or is perceived to have on them. There’s a lot of positive moments in this but a lot of soul searching too which makes it quite an emotive read.

The premise is an unusual and interesting one, two sisters come face to face for the first time realizing they’re twins, and how it changes their lives. But the overall tone of the book is one long cloudy overcast day. There was no joy in this book and everything seems to be written in monotone.

Pearson never fails to pull on the old emotions, and she does it well.
This is a crazy scenario, when one day you open the door to find yourself looking at your double.
Despite it being crazy, the author makes the story, and the characters and all their actions believable.
She gave me pause for thought on what I would do in a situation like this.
As we get to know our characters better, we see that their lives might not be quite what we thought.
I'm already looking forward to the next book.

A beautiful, heartbreaking story that fills you with emotion. A definite must read book. .

Wow what a captivating book with a unique premise and very special characters! This is a beautiful story that is extremely well written. It will break your heart and fill your heart at the same time. The author is extremely talented, and I feel so lucky to have had the chance to read this.