This is a unique story of strangers Ruth and Debbie who met unexpectedly and discovering they are identical twins. The only person who can seemingly solve this mystery has dementia.

It is an emotional and extraordinary story of self discovery, family, love, secrets and sisterhood. This is a book on contentment and how the grass is not always greener and what might have been.

The author approaches this sensitive plot with grace and empathy. The main characters are related- same yet different, graceful yet unruly, brave yet afraid. She captured the essence and nuances of twins.

I loved how the story had a mix of the past giving an inkling as to what might have happened. It was an enjoyable read which will stay with me.

Women’s fiction lovers will certainly enjoy this.

It’s said that everyone has a doppelgänger but recently widowed Debbie Jones gets the shock of her life when she knocks on a door to find the woman staring back at her is her absolute double. Ruth Waverley is equally disturbed by the sight of a woman who looks exactly like her is standing at her doorstep. With this fateful meeting the lives of these two lovely women is about to change forever.

It’s an interesting scenario meeting a twin you never knew existed and this is explored in a really sympathetic way in a beautifully written story which gradually reveals the truth about both Debbie and Ruth and the reasons for their separation. Whilst the emotional impact comes from Debbie and Ruth’s reaction there is also the hidden nuances of those characters who are on the periphery particularly Ruth’s sister Kate and her elderly mother. There are hidden secrets which have been kept from both women and it was fascinating to see their lives placed under the spotlight and to observe how they each coped with the upheaval in their lives.

I thought this was a fabulous read, with two strong women who are each facing a momentous change in their lives going forward. You can’t help but be absolutely absorbed in the minutiae of their lives, their growing attachment to each other which comes from a sense of recognition, and with lovely observations of them attempting to rekindle that unshakable bond which they must have once shared as babies before their lives changed forever.

Life can get boring, especially as you age, set in your ways the sameness day in and day out can wear on you. There's not much to look forward to.
But then, purely by chance two women come face to face with each other, they look identical but didn't know the other existed even though at one time they developed in the same womb, legs and arms entwined.
These women are similar but yet so different, having been adopted with different upbringings they are trying to adjust to finding each other and the consequences of not having had each other in their lives up until this point.
The storyline is eye-opening and interesting. We get a bit of a backstory, and this is really a very emotional read.
I will be reading more by the author.


I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I remember a time – not that long ago – when publishers would have run a mile from a book realistically portraying the lives of two women in their sixties, however unusual the situation they’re presented with. Thank goodness things have changed – I loved every moment I spent in the company of these two wonderful women, and was enthralled by their stories as they gradually unfolded.

Recently widowed, Debbie has moved to Loughborough for a fresh start – she’s very much a people person, ideally suited to the job she’s found, knocking on doors to ask for donations to a mental health charity, a cause close to her heart. She makes friends wherever she goes – a chat and smile with the people on their doorsteps, the students she works with who sometimes need a bit of help (and sometimes a little more than that), a busy man who needs help walking his dog. Although she’s moved on, memories of her husband are everywhere – but life’s good, and she’s doing just fine.

Ruth bakes and decorates cakes for every occasion – it’s turned into a small business, but also an escape from the tedious monotony of her life. Her sons have left home and have no time for her in their busy lives, her husband takes her for granted and can barely bring himself to keep up a conversation – thank goodness for her sister who, as well as always being there for her, takes it in turns to visit their mum (who has dementia) in her nursing home who rarely recognises either of them.

Then comes that pivotal moment – when Debbie knocks on Ruth’s door, and they’re both stunned to realise that they have the same face. And it’s not just a similarity – they’re identical. They’ve both followed very different paths in their lives, but there’s more to come. Debbie’s already living her best life, ready to enjoy every new adventure (a night at the students’ union – why not?) – and Ruth needs to find the courage to make changes in her life too, and finally live a little.

The whole story is quite beautifully told, as you share the lives of both women, get to know them so well, and really hope that the things they discover, their newly found friendship, and the changes they make will bring them both happiness. They’re both extraordinarily real, women you soon feel you know really well, so easy to identify with when you’re a similar age – and I certainly found plenty I recognised in Ruth’s visits to her mother with her occasional heart-rending moments of clarity and understanding. The whole story’s gently told, and there are so many moments to bring a smile or a tear – the author’s emotional touch is just perfect.

There’s a great deal more to this book than I’ve covered in my brief summary – secrets and family complications, a few real surprises, more than a touch of heartbreak, a bit of stepping into the unknown, grasping opportunities when they offer themselves, even a touch of romance – and I loved every single moment. The book’s premise might be unusual, but the author has built around it a gorgeous, uplifting and life-affirming story that will remain with me for some time. One of my books of the year, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

This is a gorgeous book, simultaneously full of heartbreak and joy. Both Ruth and Debbie were fabulous main characters and Laura Pearson has done a brilliant job in bringing them to life on the page.

It is no spoiler when I say that it quickly becomes evident that they are identical twins who were separated at an early point in their lives. Their lives have taken very different paths and observing how their relationship develops made for wonderful reading.

The author tells her story with skill. The result is this wonderfully uplifting and heartwarming story which was a joy to read. I highly recommend it.

Something a bit different in this story. When two women accidentally come face to face with each other they are seeing themselves in the other. At first they walk away but one of them feels she should find out how this is possible. Lovely story of finding a family and hearing a back story of the life you never knew you had. Very interesting

Imagine meeting - purely by chance - a woman who looks exactly like you. Same face, same voice, same age. Clearly, 62-year-old Debbie and Ruth are identical twins, but neither had any idea the other existed.

The Woman Who Met Herself follows Debbie and Ruth as they try to deal with this, to put it mildly, unexpected revelation, and to find out how the situation came about. They are the same yet different - Debbie, a widow, is less well-to-do but freer, while Ruth - married with adult twin sons - lives a more constricted life. Neither was adopted, as far as they know. As they grow to know each other, their lives will change in other ways, too.

A great read, and it's nice to see older women being centred for once.

I loved this book. It tells the story of Debbie and Ruth, two women in their 60’s, one is married with children, the other a widow with no children. One day they meet and are stunned to see themselves looking back at them. They must be related, even twins but one thought she was an only child, the other already has a sister. They start to investigate their family history and family secrets are exposed. Will they find out the truth, will life ever be the same again.

Laura has done it again, another great family story that you want to read but do not want the book to end.

The Woman Who Met Herself is an interesting story. The premise is engaging and the book is written in a way that has you wanting to keep reading to find out how the story unfolds.

The main characters, Ruth & Debbie, are very interesting and though similar have very different personalities and lives. There are also interesting secondary characters and storylines.

There are parts that feel quite emotional and the story tackles some big issues including motherhood, loss, abortion, mental health, divorce, homosexuality. There were parts that felt a bit repetitive - that the author did not need to rehash and that impacted my reading slightly.

Overall though, I enjoyed this story and would be interested in reading additional works written by this author.

3.75 stars

The Woman Who Met Herself was a sweet, heartwarming story about finding yourself, family and friendship. A chance meeting has Debbie and Ruth seeing each other and looking identical. With a bit of bravery, Debbie reaches out to Ruth, and together they try to work out what's going on, what happened and forge a relationship. Over time both Ruth and Debbie learn more about themselves and grow as people - demonstrating there is still chances for happiness whatever your age.
There is also the difficult topic with Ruth and Kate's (Ruth's sister) Mum having dementia and the heartache this brings.
I would have liked more about the extended family Debbie gained. The focus was soley on Ruth, but Debbie had also gained newphews in Ruth's sons, and a half sister in Ruth's sister. This was ignored completely.
The story pulled at the heartstrings and was well worth the read.

Can you imagine opening your front door and standing on the door step is someone who looks like you ? This is what happened when Ruth answers a knock on her door and standing there is Debbie who not only looks a bit like her it’s like Ruth is looking into a mirror image of herself as these two women are identical.
What follows is an absolutely gorgeous read of two people coming to terms with who they are and discovering themselves. As we progress through the book we get to know both women and their families and we slowly learn the reasons behind what happened to both ladies. This was at times an emotional read and I loved every chapter. The Woman Who Met Herself is yet again another superb read by Laura Pearson.

imagine opening the door and seeing yourself!
a book about family and belonging, about how different people may look the same but have completely different lives and where they fit in with each other.
it’s a book about finding yourself and finding happiness

The Woman Who Met Herself by Laura Pearson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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…

My Opinion

Laura Pearson has once again come up with an interesting concept for a book. I am always on the lookout for upcoming releases as I really do like the writing style. The Woman Who Met Herself was a very enjoyable read. Another uplifting read from Laura Pearson.

Rating 4/5

As a child I always fantasised I was twin. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to open my front door to a twin I didn’t know I had – when I was in my 60s!

I loved the premise of this book and enjoyed the way the story unfolded. I hadn’t previously read any of Laura Pearson’s books, and I’m looking forward to reading her earlier works.

4 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance copy.

A book about finding someone you never knew you’d lost or needed. About making friends and facing secrets of the past.

If you’ve read the synopsis, you will already have a good idea of what this story entails, and you are in for a treat. Laura Pearson has once again pushed the boundaries and created a story that challenges the reader’s imagination.
When we first meet Debbie, she is determined to start afresh away from her memories and sadness at losing her husband. She rents a flat and applies for a job working for a charity, looking for people to subscribe by direct debit with regular instalments. She finds herself working alongside two college students with whom she soon forms a strong bond despite their age difference. I rather liked Debbie and enjoyed noticing how incredibly kind she was. Her willingness to bond with the young men she worked with and her passion for the charity. It wasn’t just a job to her; she truly believed she had found an opportunity to help others.
Ruth is an empty nester. She lives with her husband, bakes for pin money, and regularly visits her mother in the nursing home. Her life is unremarkably safe and repetitive. When her younger son returns home after losing his job, she begins to feel a moment of fulfilment that she perceives to be missing from her life. Ruth’s life has become smaller since her sons left home. She has her husband and sister, but nothing seems to be just for her. I found her husband to be a chore, and his manner spoke of misogyny and jaded tolerance.
The moment Ruth opens the door to Debbie, everything changes.
Like all of Laura’s books, this one will stay with me and be an automatic recommendation. The sympathetic handling of Ruth’s experience with her mother’s dementia was sad but not embellished, and I found that reassuring.
I do hope you take a chance to read this book. I found it to be cathartic, intriguing, and beautiful. I can highly recommend it.

3.75🌟

The Woman Who Met Herself is out of my usual comfort zone for books, but I'm glad I gave it a shot. It's more character than plot-driven, which I usually don't reach for, but this is done well. There are many layers to the characters. Debbie and Ruth are so different yet so similar, and both have a touch of feeling that the grass is greener on the other side. Some of the grief-related content was difficult to read for me, as it hit close to home.

Recommended for fans of heartwarming contemporary literature.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

The Woman who Met herself by Laura Pearson⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another great book from this author. Ruth and Debbie stumble across each other and they look identical. There unfolds a story of families. Loved all the characters. Such a lovely book.

A beautifully written story of family, of connection, of hope and love.
I’m a huge fan of Laura Pearson’s writing and this is another wonderful story.
Emotional and warm-hearted, this is a voyage of discovery for both Debbie and Ruth, of eachother, and of themselves.
It was fascinating seeing how both characters grew through the story as they realised what was important in their lives. Written sensitively and with love, this is a brilliant addition to the Laura Pearson bookshelf.

I loved the relationships between women in this book. Ruth and Debbie's different outlooks and experiences of life made for interesting reading and Ruth's husband had me shouting at the book, "Leave him!"
Laura Pearson's writing feels so real. I loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley.