Amazing story.

Lynn Austin does it again. Her story draws you in to WWII right before the German attacks on London. Then your taken to post WWII America. A gripping story of two unlikely best friends.

Lynn Austin delivers a fantastic story of friendship, love, and the devastation of World War I. This book pulled me in from page one all the way through until the very last page. The unlikely friendship between Eve and Audrey was so interesting. The differences between their classes and the obvious truth that money does not make you happy was so well written. I also really enjoyed the growth of the characters. Audrey learning what will actually make her happy and Eve having so much love in her life and struggling when she loses loved ones. It's beautifully told, very well written, and completely enjoyable!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

First sentence from the prologue: Eve Dawson bolted upright in bed. Someone was pounding on her door. Sirens wailed outside, growing louder. Approaching. She leaped up, her instincts screaming for her to run to the air-raid shelter. But no. The war was over.

Premise/plot: If I Were You is the newest historical novel by Lynn Austin. Are Audrey and Eve friends? true friends? It's a complicated relationship for sure. Audrey is an aristocratic daughter, shy and nervous at times, but she is Somebody and knows it. Eve, well, Eve is the daughter of maid. Her father died in World War I. Her mother is busy waiting on the family. Eve is raised by her grandmother--until her grandma dies. Then Eve herself goes into service. She's the opposite of Audrey: ambitious and impulsive. The two are friendly as girls--keeping it hidden from Audrey's parents a must--but will that friendship last through all the twists, turns, ups, and downs?!?!

The novel is not told chronologically. The narrative alternates between the present--1950 in the United States--and the past, England starting in the 1930s. It opens with a SHOCK. Audrey arrives to find that Eve is calling herself AUDREY and living with her in-laws. Eve has taken her identity...and her place in her dead husband's family...

My thoughts: I haven't decided if it was wise or foolish to open with the great big SHOCK in the opening paragraph. On the one hand, you would think that knowing what was coming--that something would happen that would lead Eve to do something so deceitful and manipulative--would take away something from the reading experience. On the other hand, I stayed engaged with the book. It took me a long, long, long time to engage with the characters themselves. Knowing this about Eve kept me from opening myself up to her in some ways....YET Audrey was the less likeable of the two in many of the flashback scenes. So I was torn, conflicted. Was it right to cheer Eve on knowing that she might end up being the bad girl?! Would I be convinced that Eve had done the right thing? But I was engaged with the STORY oddly enough...or not odd at all, all things considered. I love reading books set during World War II. And it was set in England during the war!!! I mean this book was begging to be read.

This is published by a christian publisher, but, I would classify it as not all that preachy. I would say that even if you don't necessarily seek out "Christian fiction" you might enjoy it if you like women's fiction or historical fiction or books with an emphasis on friendship. That being said, I am a Christian; I do not avoid Christian fiction: I actually seek out Christian fiction. I enjoyed this one. It has a theme of forgiveness which I think almost transcends the genre. Not all books about forgiveness end up being preachy.

This new book is one of opposites. You have poor vs. rich and how they both find good things in each status position that would make them happier than their own personal status. It is also a good about relationships between women and how love plays a part. I am a long-time fan of Lynn Austin’s work and this is one book that I had to speed read at the end to see how she would wrap it up. I feel this work stands out as it plays out during the Nazi invasion of England. It made me more aware of the horrors they faced. It is a story of a web of lies and what happens within the framework of friendship. There are times you want to put your arms around each character in love and other times you want to slap them upside the face – lots of emotions are kindled while reading it. It is a very satisfying read!

This book will hands down be added to my favorite reads this year! WOW. I was quickly sucked in and couldn’t put it down. I’ve been in a big reading slump lately but I had no problem keeping this one in my hands. Even though I like reading WWII fiction in general, I liked that this one was different. The cast of characters gave the story a Downton Abbey meets WWII vibe and I ate that up. I liked that the ending of this story was hidden. I genuinely didn’t know how things were going to work out for Eve and Audrey, and it kept me turning the pages to find out. I highly recommend this one!

*I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

A poignant tale of friendship, following two vastly different young women in WWII.



An engrossing read that pulled me in from the very beginning. Eve and Audrey couldn't be more different in social advantage as well as personality. Eve comes from a working class family, while Audrey has the weight of wealth and privilege.



I love how this book contrasts the girl's upbringings and personalities, showing how they are so different, yet compliment each other so well as friends. I loved the realistic rhythm of Eve and Audrey's friendship, as they lose touch and come back together again, which felt honest and relatable. There are many characters that aren't all good or bad, they struggle with the questions of God and morality in the face of war and the consequences of their actions.



The plot slides forwards and back with ease from the 1950's and back to the events leading up to the current conflict. Throughout the book I kept changing my mind on whom I liked better of if I even liked either of them, in the end I just gave up and decided that I admired both women equally for their strength and faith, gained and expressed in their own ways.



Overall, a heartfelt story of friendship, redemption, forgiveness and sacrifice set against the backdrop of a changing world in the years of the second world war. Lynn Austin is a master of weaving a strong faith focus into the very fabric of the storyline. I empathized with both Eve and Audrey, in ways that I never thought that I would upon beginning the book. I loved the complexity of the characters, and even though he wasn't around much, Tom was a scene stealing favorite. This was a gripping read, and while it wasn't quite the tearjerker that past Austin reads have been for me, I still found it to be a enjoyable, entertaining read, that I would happily recommend.





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

Classic Lynn Austin...a beautifully written, well researched Christian Fiction/Historical novel. This story first captured my attention by its simplistic cover art...But the friendship of Eve and Audrey captured my heart and my soul. You must experience this masterpiece yourself...You will not be disappointed. Five Stars.

If I Were You, captured my interest from the first page and continued drawing me into Eve’s and Audrey’s lives as their story unfolded. I wondered how these two women could have made the decisions they had. As the narrative takes you to their childhood, the war, and post war life, through Eve’s and Audrey’s honest responses and dialogue you come to a deeper awareness of how your own choices and experiences lead you to be the person you are.

Lynn invites you into her character’s lives, and you feel comfortable with them even as she challenges you to grow and change with them. She writes about her characters as if she knew them, had experienced what they had gone through. Her carefully researched and crafted descriptions take you into the scenes of the story, as if she had actually been there.

Lynn’s writing style uses words and descriptions fresh to the imagination, while bringing familiar feelings to the heart and mind. I recommend all of Lynn’s books, especially this newest accomplishment, If I Were You.

This is the first book I have ever read by Lynn Austin, and I was blown away. I loved reading Eve and Audrey's story. It was a captivating story of love, loss, and triumph during the years spanning World War II in England. I also learned many things about the war and life in England at the time. Through the over 400 pages of the book, I got so caught up in the story that it was hard to focus back in the "real world" when I had to reluctantly take a break from reading. I will be thinking of this book long after I have finished the last page. I will definitely be looking for other books by this author. She is a prolific writer, and I can't believe I have never read any of her books before now.

Once I began this story, I read it every minute that I could. This engrossing historical fiction about two women and the friendship that they shared through the years, including WWII, was simply beautiful. I thought that it was a realistic story with tension and twists and turns that life involves. I enjoyed the interesting historical context throughout, which made the novel richer. The cast of characters was well constructed including that upstairs/downstairs class system. Austin’s characters have depth, which I appreciated. While facing incredible difficulties, questions of faith surfaced. The memorable characters learned lessons about facing adversity, forgiveness, and finding identity and purpose. Certainly this is a book with a positive impact for our world today. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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. At that point, 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

Lynn Austin knows how to write about human relationships. This story, (which is set during and well after WW2) was thoroughly researched for historical details. It played a secondary part for me. The two main characters draw you in . Unlikely friends because of their social status. Yet both so relatable. They go through joy, grief, loss, war, fear, heroism and friendshipI. And through and after it all, God’s forgiveness. I laughed, cried and felt like I was right there with them during the action scenes. I highly recommend this book!

Audrey and Eve, friends for life—until Eve steals Audrey’s identity when she moves to the United States after the horrors of World War II. Growing up, the two girls lived firmly in separate classes—Audrey, a daughter of the manor, and Eve her scullery maid. But despite their differences, a friendship forms.

A friendship that carries through the horrible war years and teaches them to rely on God and the abilities God gave them. Each woman comes through the war with different burdens. When Audrey throws away her chance to immigrate to America, Eve, in a moment of desperation, decides to take her place.

Eve lies a lie for four years when the real Audrey shows up. How will she confess the truth and can the friendship forged in desperate times survive the deception?

Why I Loved This Book

We often wish our lives looked like someone else’s—whether a celebrity’s or a best friend. Austin takes the ‘what if I had her life’ question and sets it in the middle of the social upheaval in England during the Second World War. From a young age, each girl has wished for things the other has. They carry the longings into adulthood but never discuss them.

Austin develops the story like a master painter, laying down layer upon layer of color, nuance, and brushstrokes to reveal a final portrait of friendship and hope. The historical details and descriptions make the reader feel the power of the blitzkrieg in London and the devastation of a bombed city.

Nothing I write in this review will come close to expressing just how AMAZING If I Were You by Lynn Austin truly is. This book blew me away. The characters are so well crafted they jump off the page. The plot is so engaging I read well past my bedtime. The timely messages are desperately needed for today’s audience and so hope-inducing that I could not help myself, I cried tears of gratefulness and joy. This book is filled with serious HOPE! And, the historical detail is SO well done I felt like I was in WWII-era London. How truly terrifying it must have been for the thousands and thousands of innocent men, women, and children who suffered the nightly bombings in London. I cannot comprehend how they made it through SIX years of that terror. If I Were You is hands down THE must-read novel of 2020.

How we treat others matters more that we sometimes can ever know. Every day it is a choice we make to either love others or not. On this earth, some people are called to serve others while others are served, but NO ONE should EVER treat people as “others.” When we treat people like they are nothing more than commodities who serve our purposes, we go against God’s heart. In 2 Chronicles 21, Judah’s king is a man named Jehoram. In verse 20 it states, “Jehoram was thirty-two when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret.” Isn’t that awfully heartbreaking?! I know that when I die, I don’t want people to sigh a breath of relief and say, “Thank God!” Can you imagine no one caring when you die? King Jehoram must have really treated people awfully.

In If I Were You, there are two minor female characters. One is rich and one is poor. One treats others as if they were property. She is selfish towards them and she NEVER considers the welfare of others. This rich woman lives her life for herself alone. The poor woman happens to be this rich woman’s Lady’s Maid. She is warm, compassionate, long-suffering, and so wise. She is a very lovely woman and she cares a great deal for her boss. It actually confounds quite a few people that this lovely woman would love her boss. I’m not going to lie, there are a couple of moments in the novel where I questioned this lovely lady’s sentiment towards her wealthy, insufferable, hardhearted boss. What struck me so much about this pair is how others reacted after their deaths. The rich woman reminded me of King Jehoram. When she died very few shed a tear. But when the lovely Lady’s Maid died it really ripped everyone’s, including my own, heart out. It’s a devastating loss and people reacted accordingly. The lesson here is clear: no matter our station in life, we must treat ALL humans with dignity, kindness, and respect. Anything less makes us a Jehoram — a person whose leaving brings a sigh of relief to others. Is this the way you want others to feel when you leave a room, or God forbid, when you die? These two women definitely give the reader quite a bit of food for thought.

If I Were You by Lynn Austin is a marvelous story that I will not soon forget. This is a story that reaches into the reader’s heart and makes a lasting impression. I HIGHLY recommend this novel. You will not want to miss this beautiful story.

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from Tyndale Fiction via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback copy of this novel from Tyndale Fiction as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

What a satisfying read! My two favorite genres, WWII historical and Christian fiction come together in this new book. The author’s research made the story rich and authentic, and her storytelling is compelling. I find myself wondering what these women, Audrey and Eve, will do next. I sure hope she writes a sequel!

Lynn Austin does it again! This book has a complicated plot spanning several decades that draws you in immediately and holds your interest until the very last page. I found the story to be very creative and interesting. I love how Lynn Austin crafts such deep and complex characters, people that seem to come alive and leap off the pages. They have flaws, which make them even more real. I liked the historical details and appreciated the author’s research. The spiritual truths are relatable and poignant. I cried several times as the emotions of the characters touched me. I loved the growth of the characters and the conclusion was satisfying. There are so many good parts to this story that it has become one of my favorite books by this author! I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I have long been a fan of Lynn Austin and thought she couldn’t bring more to the table, but she has outdone herself with this beautiful lyrical novel. It tackles social class, war, friendship, love, family, faith, and forgiveness and does each like a well woven rug. I loved Eve and Audrey from the get go as young children to adulthood. Their friendship is forged and endures the test of time and a war that changes all involved. It shows the humanity of the characters and how poor decisions made in difficult times have long lasting effects. The storyline is all tied up with a big red bow and given like a wonderful present as all the questions you form while reading are answered. I especially loved Eve and her journey back to faith and the acts of forgiveness shown in multiple ways. I needed tissues several times as tears ran down my face from being so emotionally involved in this story line and the characters that you felt were family. Curl up in your favorite chair, grab a cup of tea, and settle down with a book that you will want to devour but savor at the same time. This will go on my favorite keeper shelf. Highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This book is wonderful! I love historical fiction and this book does not disappoint! Lynn Austin did her research on World War 2 and I absolutely loved reading about all the work the women did to help the war effort. The friendship between Audrey and Eve was refreshing. They were unlikely to be friends, but they always made it work and I loved the realness of their friendship. They had arguments but, in the end, they loved each other and always came back to each other. I loved that it was real and not watered down. I also loved that they were not perfect but made mistakes and we learned how they overcame them.
This book is a must read. It is entertaining, and you get to learn a little bit about World War 2. I promise you will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is an exciting, event-filled story of two girls. It begins in the year 1931 and goes through their adulthood in 1950. Locations are war-torn London and eventually the USA. One girl is from an aristocratic family. The other is a poor scullery maid. Their lives interact in the most interesting ways. The action is continuous. I simply couldn’t put this book down once I started! It makes you laugh and it makes you cry. It is a wonderful story of redemption and grace.

I could not put this book down. Lynn Austin has done an incredible job with If I Were You. Set in England during the WWII era If I Were You takes you on a journey of courage, love, friendship and forgiveness. Audrey and Eve are two friends from different social standings who establish an unlikely friendship. This book takes you through their childhood to adulthood post WWII. It’s the book to read this summer. It’s one you will read again and again.