A few weeks ago, I posted about an author I love and I said that I was genetically predisposed to love her books! I think that, having now read four of Laura Pearson's books, I am almost prepared to make that same declaration for her! I love her unusual ideas and the ways that she goes about writing them

When there is an unexpected knock at her door, Ruth Waverley has no idea that her life is going to be completely changed. Standing on the other side is widow Debbie Jones who is working as a charity doorknocker. When the door opens, they see a woman who looks practically identical to themselves. After the initial shock wears off Ruth and Debbie agree to meet to begin to discover each other's pasts. After all, it can't just be a coincidence that they look so alike.

Ruth has been married to Nigel for many years. They have raised twin boys, and now she has a cherished granddaughter. She bakes cakes from her home kitchen - fancy birthday cakes and the like - but she doesn't really feel seen by her family, especially by her husband. She and her younger sister Kate are also dealing with their elderly mum whose dementia is getting worse. There are the clear days when she recognises her children, but other days she has no idea who they are.

Debbie has just started her job working for the charity. Her husband Richie died unexpectedly the year before so she loves that this job will keep getting her out and about and that she will be meeting people. She quickly forms a bond with her co-workers Jitu and Matty. She really is a people person. People are drawn to her. She also has a bit of an adventurous spirit.

As the two women try to figure out exactly how they are connected and what led to their separation, family secrets are revealed that have been kept hidden for more than 60 years come to light. We see the two women as they begin to form a bond, which brings challenging moments for Kate as well. It isn't only a book about looking to the past though. It is a chance for both women to reevaluate their lives and decide if they want to make changes going forward to be able to live their best lives.

I am someone who has a face that people recognise. Just last week a woman was looking at me as we walked past each other and asked if we knew each other to which my answer was no. She told me that I definitely have a doppelganger who lives on the other side of the city! The idea of actually meeting a doppelganger though...that would be quite freaky!

The previous books I have read from Laura Pearson all had an element of magical realism in them but this one doesn't. It relies on the unusual premise for the framework and it works! This is another fine book from Laura Pearson, a real treat on many levels! I enjoyed the way that she weaves serious issues through her stories, without ever feeling too heavy, and yet I get all the feels from reading her books too!

I do have a few more Laura Pearson books to read, and I will get to them, especially when I need something magical to take me away from my own life!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4.5/5

What an amazingly unique story. I think my reaction when reading the scene when Debbie and Ruth first see each other was probably very similar to their own. I instantly had a million and one questions about how and why.

I really enjoyed getting to know Debbie, like other characters in the book I found myself drawn to her, there was an energy to her that came across even on the page. I liked how she connected with the young lads she was working with and how Jitu goes to her for help.

Seeing a life lived from two identical twins who were given different life choices was really interesting and I found Ruth to be interesting and after meeting Debbie she is able to be brave and take control of her life.

I really enjoyed reading this and watching the story unfold about how these two women grew up without knowing about the other. As with other Laura Pearson books, you really won’t be disappointed after reading it.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

We meet Ruth and Debbie, whose lives are so different from each other, for Ruth, she’s has her family to take care of and loves baking.

Whereas Debbie is making a fresh start in a new place, making new friends as she as she goes.

When they both meet, everything changes. Following which secrets that both weren’t aware of are revealed and because of this people’s lives are changed.

I recommend this book.

Debbie treats everyday like a new adventure and a new opportunity. Widowed a year ago she has recently moved to a new town to give herself a fresh start, including a new job collecting donations door to door for a mental health charity. Her first day is off to a great start, until she knocks on a door and sees her exact double open the door. Ruth’s life is going ok but she feels like with her children grown up and a disinterested husband she would like more in her life. And then she opens her door to see her doppelgänger.
I have yet to meet a @laurapauthor book I don’t like. I really enjoyed #thewomanwhometherself which releases May 25.
Both woman in this story are so incredibly different and so very loveable. Their own unique ways in which they view the world was wonderful. And the way they attempt to handle having the rug pulled out from under them both as individuals and as a team was great.
Thank you to @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for letting me be a reviewer for this one.
#bookstagram #bookreccomendation #bookreview #bookworm #bookstagrammer #booklover

This is the first book I have read by this author but certainly will be reading more. What a great writer and story teller. Not my usual genre of book to read but I’m glad I chose it. The main plot revolves around Ruth and Debbie who when they first meet are strangers to each other but have the strongest of connections. The plot follows their evolving relationship, personal histories and experiences. I was totally engaged in their stories and the author deals with relationships, loss, life’s disappointments, and mental health in a way that draws you into the lives of the characters in the novel. It was sad, funny, complex and simple so that the reader is taken through a range of experiences and emotions that make for a totally engaging read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a ARC of the book.

Well, this was just glorious. It's my second Laura Pearson book (I adored The Last List of Mabel Beaumont) and I can't wait to read all the others.

I went into the book cold - I had forgotten the blurb I had read - and so really wasn't sure where it would go. There's always a hint of magic realism in Laura's books, so there were so many tangents this story could have taken. Not immediately seeing the direction of the story is testament to the writing standard; it wasn't obvious or easy to spot the path I was being taken down. Even after the large reveal, there are so many intricacies in the situation that came to light bit by bit, meaning it's never boring and keeps you engaged.

The characters' reactions to finding a twin they never knew existed in their 60s were so believable. I found myself constantly thinking 'Yep, that's how I would have felt too' or 'I would've asked that as well' and I think this is one of the things that I love about Laura Pearson's writing, she presents genuine ordinary people tackling huge life events and this allows for humanity and vulnerability to always be visible. It's a wonderful story that will make you gasp and laugh, and cry in equal measure.

There's social commentary throughout too - women giving up their sense of themselves for family and others has happened in both Debbie and Ruth's lives, even though the lives themselves have been completely different.

This book is a a reminder that it's never too late to craft the kind of life you want.

The Woman Who Met Herself is a touching and heartfelt novel about identity, family, and rediscovery. It follows Debbie and Ruth- two women leading separate lives until a chance encounter reveals they are long-lost twins. As they uncover the mystery of their separation, both women embark on emotional journeys that lead to healing, self-discovery, and love.

Laura Pearson delivers a sweet and moving story with relatable characters and emotional depth. Perfect for fans of contemporary fiction that explores the bonds of family and the power of connection.

Laura is a reasonably new author to me but I think this is the 4th of her books I’ve read now! I find them so well written and easy to relate to with her characters.
This is a tricky one to review without giving too much away but just what connects Ruth, a steady mother of grown up children, with Debbie, a widow who has moved to her deceased mother’s home town on a whim?
I devoured this book, such an engrossing read.
Would highly recommend.

I was really excited to receive an ARC of The Woman Who Met Herself, especially since I absolutely loved one of Laura Pearson’s previous books. She has a gift for writing deeply human stories, and I couldn’t wait to dive into this one.

That said, it took me a while to get into the story. I spent over two weeks making it through the first 50%—a classic case of "it’s not me, it’s you." I even jokingly referred to it as the midlife crisis woman book while reading. But then something shifted. I decided to give it a fair shot and ended up finishing the second half in under two days.

This book is about so much—family, new friendships, relationships, grief, mental health, miscarriages… you name it, it’s in there. But somehow it never feels like too much. Reading it feels like having coffee with a friend and listening to them share the story of their life—intimate, real, and deeply moving.

I did miss the touch of magic I’ve found in some of Pearson’s other work, that extra spark that made them unforgettable for me. Still, The Woman Who Met Herself is a thoughtful, emotional read that I ultimately quite enjoyed. I’d recommend it, especially to readers who appreciate stories about personal growth and the messy, beautiful complexity of life.

I love Laura Pearson's books; this is my sixth read by the author. I Wanted You To Know and The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine were five-star reads for me, while The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up, Missing Pieces, and The Many Futures of Maddy Hart were four-star reads. Laura Pearson continues to deliver as one of my favourite writers of women's fiction. She always has unique plotlines, but she tells every story about self-discovery and family secrets. They're always very touching and thought-provoking.

This story is about Debbie and Ruth, who meet by happenstance and discover they are identical twins. Imagine meeting your twin for the first time at age sixty-two. The author brilliantly weaves a story so heartfelt and real that I felt like I was friends with these ladies. What I found interesting was that even though Debbie and Ruth are similar in looks, and they started out together yet their lives took such different paths. Debbie loves adventure, Ruth likes the comforts of home and routine. Both are interesting and compelling, just in different ways. I loved how they were both game to get to know each other and try to find some sort of connection. It was such an emotional journey for both of them, and I was so glad to be along for the ride.

This is so much more than a book about two women who look alike, it's about learning something new about yourself while learning about someone else. It's about putting your needs first, as you're no good to anyone if you're not good to yourself. It's about life's surprises, making the most of every day, and most of all, it reminded me that it is never too late to

is more than just a story about look-alikes; it's about finding oneself, forging unexpected bonds, and discovering the beauty of human connection. Pearson's writing is both poignant and uplifting, reminding us that life is full of surprises and that it's never too late to reinvent ourselves. I highly recommend this book and everything else by Laura Pearson. She writes the type of beautiful stories that stay with the reader long after the final page.

This is the story of Debbie and Ruth, who meet by chance when they are in their 60s. Perhaps the meeting is by fate. The meeting is shocking; it is like looking at themselves in the mirror. They are identical.

The unravelling of the story takes place bit by bit. The obvious is quick to come to light, but the circumstances and the details emerge throughout the book. It is an emotional and complicated story.

Ruth and Debbie develop a cautious but quick relationship. Emotions are involved, especially when lifelong truths are discovered to be untrue.

I am drawn to both Ruth and Debbie. Their characters are the same but different. They seem very true to life. They are not perfect. The secondary characters are interesting too, as they provide the reader with diversion from the main plot.

I was surprised when I turned the last page of the last chapter. Everything in the story had been resolved, but I didn't expect it to be over. I guess I wanted to read more about Ruth and Debbie.

I have read several books by Laura Pearson. While they are about women finding resolution in some aspect of their life. But, at the same time, they have all been quite different. I like the writing and I have liked all the characters she has created.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

The Woman Who Met Herself completely took me by surprise—in the best way. It’s beautifully strange, deeply emotional, and thought-provoking in a way that lingered long after I finished the final page.

The concept alone is so intriguing—a woman quite literally coming face to face with a version of herself—and Laura Pearson delivers it with such tenderness and nuance. What could’ve been a quirky or high-concept twist ends up feeling incredibly grounded and human. It’s not just about meeting “yourself”—it’s about confronting all the parts of your life you’ve questioned, the roads you didn’t take, and the version of you that got lost along the way.

I found this book to be quietly powerful. It’s introspective and emotional, with a softness that really made me reflect on my own choices, regrets, and growth. The writing is subtle but moving, and I loved how the story explored womanhood, identity, and the way our lives can slowly drift off course without us even realising.

This isn’t a fast-paced read, but that’s what I loved about it—it gives you time to feel. Time to sit with the questions it gently asks, and time to appreciate the honesty in its storytelling. It’s bittersweet, a little melancholic, but also filled with hope.

The Woman Who Met Herself is one of those quietly profound books that might not scream for attention, but ends up speaking directly to your heart. If you’ve ever looked at your life and wondered “what if,” this book will feel like it was written just for you.

Oh, I love these kinds of family-related stories!
I thoroughly enjoyed the last Laura Pearson book, so I was thrilled to read this newest title from her.
Imagine getting to your 60s and suddenly facing someone who should have been in your life from day one?
This happens to Debbie Jones and Ruth Waverly.
Faced with one another, on one of Debbie's routine door-knock visits as a part of her job, collecting donations and secular donors for a charity, the two women are shocked to see themselves.
Two people who look almost identical.
I don't want to rehash the story, but this is the almost unbelievable story of twins, separated at a very young age, unaware of the existence of the other.
How they go about finding out their beginnings, the reason for their separation, and how each woman grows, as if by finding the other, they have finally gained the confidence to take steps they never would have before, is written so beautifully.
There is a cast of side characters that give both women extra layers to their personalities and characters.
I enjoyed this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

The story revolves around Ruth and Debbie who encounter each other quite by chance. Nothing unusual in that, except when they look at each other, they have the same face. What follows is a beautiful tale of making the most of life, learning to love not only others but yourself and remembering that life is for living. A beautiful hopeful, reflective, emotional and joyful read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an early read.

A fateful doorstep encounter🏡

4-4.5🌟 stars
This latest Laura Pearson novel seemed more based in reality than some she's written in the past few years, but the main theme is no less miraculous. Twins split as infants and never expected to know each other existed, yet a few random decisions on twin Debbie's part after her husband's death and Debbie and Ruth are brought face to face after over 60 years leading totally separate lives. The how's and why's of their separation get revealed and Debbie, Ruth and Ruth's younger sister Kate become enmeshed in each other's lives.

I liked the contrast in the trajectory of each of their childhoods and marriages. One starts out in a hard knock childhood but finds a happy marriage and the other starts in a stable home but finds discontent and disconnect in her married life.

Good writing and character development combined to make this a very good reading experience. Just not as emotionally gripping as Missing Pieces and I Wanted You To Know or unique and imaginative as the Many Futures of Maddy Hart and The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 5/17/25 on Waterstones and Goodreads, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.

Laura Pearson is so good at writing thought-provoking, emotional fiction. She is so skillful at creating characters the reader can connect with and empathize with. I really loved this book, as I have all of Laura Pearson’s books. They just get better and better. Thank you to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books for allowing me to provide my review in exchange for this amazing ARC edition of The Woman Who Met Herself. Laura Pearson is one of my very favorite authors.

Laura Pearson draws you in within the first few words with her unique effortless style. The lives of her protagonists are credible and worthy of the examination they receive. A simple everyday task at work starts in motion life-changing decisions for the two main characters as they unearth the connection between them.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Laura Pearson has made magic🪄 once again in this story that reminds us sometimes when the unexpected knocks being brave enough to open the door can lead to fulfillment.

It is the surprise of a lifetime when Debbie knocks on Ruth's door. The women may have different styles, but there's no denying their faces are identical.

How is this possible?

Both women are in their early 60's and have only one surviving parent between them, Ruth's mother. Unfortunately, she suffers from dementia and is in a care facility. Debbie and Ruth are written as dynamic contrasting characters. Debbie is widowed, with no family, and her personality is outgoing. She is new to town hoping for a fresh start after her beloved husband's death. Her job is going door to door with an assortment of college students raising money for a mental health program. Debbie has a warmth that people are drawn to. Ruth has been married for decades, has a sister, twin adult sons, a granddaughter, and her personality is more reserved; she is a rule follower. She runs her own successful baking business out of her home. These women each look at the other's life and see what's missing in their own. However, things are not always what they seem from the outside looking in.

Will the past give up its secrets?

Laura Pearson's writing has a relaxing quality to it. I felt drawn into the story from the first page. These are characters developed in a realistic manner. The supporting characters added interesting threads to the story and further demonstrated the many hats Debbie and Ruth wore. Each character seemed like a person you might meet in real life. I loved the authenticity of family dynamics and dialogue. The premise might sound a bit T.V. movie, but rest assured this is a well-developed plot.

Entertaining and lovely I was sad to turn the final page and say goodbye.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

This was a great poolside read. Credible storyline and good character development which allowed the individual personalities to shine through. Two very different life parts with a surprising twist in outcomes and satisfaction for the two women.i enjoyed their developing friendship and the insights into those around them coming to terms with their impact on each other. There was a wealth of opportunity for other threads to be woven throughout but maybe that’s for another book? Four stars.

The story has an interesting premise & good characters, though the follow-through could have been better.

Ruth Waverley, in her early sixties, (she has made baking cakes her professional pursuit), lives with her husband Nigel. They have twin sons who are grown up - Max & Chris. Ruth has a younger sister - Kate, and their mom is in a care institution. Debbie Jones, 62, lives alone. Her husband Richie died of a heart attack. She has no children. She has started work at 'Hopeful Horizons' – a volunteer organization. Debbie goes door to door asking people if they need help with mental health. One day, Debbie rings the bell at Ruth's. Both are stunned as they look to be identical. But neither was told they had a twin, so what is this about?

The story gets off to a good start with intriguing prospects for continuation. I liked the characters of Ruth & Debbie; and the contrasts in their personality. The other characters do not really come alive. Nothing very consequential happens in the later parts of the book and I felt it drag.