Decisions & Consequences
The Woman Who Met Herself by Laura Pearson is a most charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is a novel about families and life. Families can be complicated affairs. We meet a mother who has given her whole life to raising her twin boys but now they are in their thirties she is struggling to discover her own identity.
A chance doorstep encounter opens up a whole new life but also a can of worms as there are more questions than answers.
The other lead character is childless but struggling with the sudden loss of her husband. Now she needs to discover who she is as a newly single mother.
We see that some lives just attract others to them. Brief meetings can soon turn into new friendships.
The theme of motherhood is a major one. We see that motherhood is very different in the 1960’s. A young mother struggling with her mental health gets little support. “Back then [1960’s], mental illness was a shameful secret.” She makes a monumental decision that will still be impacting lives in present day. A secret in 1962 is finally unlocked in present day, to the shock of all concerned.
A slow decline into dementia is a hard journey for all concerned. “It’s a slow loss, dementia… It’s losing someone over and over. It’s an ocean of grief.” Grief is a daily companion. The losses are keenly felt by all.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and believable. The story is told through the eyes of both leading ladies, and there is an occasional voice from the past.
The Woman Who Met Herself was a powerful and heartfelt read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
The Woman Who Met Herself
What would you do, if you met your double?
Debbie Jones thinks life is an adventure. Even having lost her husband a year ago, she’s ready for whatever the world might throw her way. Being in her sixties doesn’t mean it’s all over for her yet, and she loves her new job doing neighbourhood support for a charity. Then she knocks on a stranger’s front door.
Ruth Waverley doesn’t like surprises. Her life isn’t perhaps all she once dreamed off, but what other options are there for a woman in her sixties? She’s proud of her home and children. And she likes her life well enough. Then she hears someone knocking at the door.
As the door opens, both Ruth and Debbie get the shock of their lives. As their eyes meet – the recognition is instant. Not because they’ve met before. But because they have the same face. They’re completely identical.
And everything is about to change, for both women. In ways they couldn’t possibly imagine…
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/WomanWhoMetHerself
Author Bio –
Laura Pearson is the author of the #1 bestseller The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. She founded The Bookload on Facebook and has had several pieces published in the Guardian and the Telegraph.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: @LauraPearson22
Twitter: @LauraPAuthor
Instagram: @LauraPAuthor
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LauraPearsonNews
Bookbub profile: @laurapearson22
