I think this is a case of right book, wrong time. The writing is fab, the premise is very interesting, but it just didn’t suit me at the moment. I wanted to love this one, but sadly I didn’t gel with it.

I’ve tried really hard to like this book. I love the idea of it, the tracking of lives that are parallel, the ups, downs and twists and turns, the “coulda woulda shoulda” aspect of it. And I read it all the way through to the end. But, for me, it just didn’t gel, it felt slightly off Centre all the way through. I had really high hopes but I would call this book ok and worth reading but not amazing

What if your life was exactly the same - the same house, parents, friends, hair colour, likes and dislikes - only you had been born the opposite sex? That's the intriguing premise behind Julie Cohen's latest novel.

When Irving falls in love with Peggy, former Miss Western Maine, and marries her one whirlwind courtship and unexpected pregnancy later their small town lives seem set in stone. Peggy becomes a mother and housewife, only higher up Casablanca's social echelons now she's married to the son of the local mill owner, not merely the daughter of workers in the mill, and Irving puts his dreams of travel aside. They have one child, Lou, a gangling redhead who spends an idyllic childhood hanging out with the twin children of Peggy's best friend. And then on graduation night something happens that sends Lou fleeing from Casablanca, not to return until Peggy's illness twelve years later.

But what happens that graduation night, what has happened to Lou in the intervening years, to Irving and Peggy the twins, the mill and the whole town of Casablanca depends on whether we follow the story of Louis, only son of Irving and Peggy, or Louise, their daughter. Part it's a Wonderful Life, part Sliding Doors, this paean to small town Americana and its declining industry and purpose is a love letter to the Maine of the author's childhood, and an exploration at how social expectations of gender can define and unknowingly push us down paths. A beautifully haunting story.

3.5 stars


This is a really clever idea for a book.
Take the same parents,the same house,the same town,the same friends ... then tell the story from the point of view of male... and female.
So much of the story was the same,and so much was different... strains from each characters story weaving into the other.
Some Good,likeable characters,enough family drama to keep the story moving along and a few heart warming moments.
I can't really complain about this book EXCEPT,I didn't feel myself reaching for it keen to see how it went.

I've read over 100 books this year and this is without a doubt my favorite. It was beautifully written and was such a unique story, i adored the dual take on Lou and how it showed that gender is far more influencing on a social level than a physiological one. Julie handled difficult subjects so respectfully and with true delicacy. Her stunning writing made me cry and just like with The Fall i know i'm going to be thinking about this story for months after finishing it.

Really enjoyed this book totally different & original very refreshing. I would recommend this to anyone thanks for the preview.

Really interesting and thought provoking. I thought the author handled the dual narrative exceptionally well and I ended up believing equally in both characters which was key to making the book work.

So good. Such an original premise and a fascinating and clever look through the eyes of female and male protagonist who are one and the same bar an e and the small matter of their sex. Complex yet easy to read, this is my favourite Julie Cohen novel to date. Have recommended it to many people already!