This is a surprisingly relatable read about the parts of ourselves that we keep hidden from others—and sometimes even from ourselves. The main character’s journey of self-discovery feels authentic and had me reflect on my identity. There’s a great balance between moments of introspection and humour, making it enjoyable without being too heavy. The story is engaging, and the characters feel real. If you're into books that make you think about personal growth and how we show up in the world, I’d recommend giving this one a go!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hattie has a plan—a carefully crafted one, born from a moment of traumatic clarity months ago. Determined to leave behind the strife and the label of "Disabled Hattie," she cuts ties with her London life, creating a fictional roommate, a fake address, and a web of lies. With her car packed, she heads for Wales, ready to reinvent herself.

In her new, remote life, "New Hattie" can be whoever she wants, free from the expectations and knowledge of her past, including the disability she’s lived with since age two. Though her condition can cause weakness and falls, Hattie hides this from those around her, maintaining upbeat correspondence with friends who have no idea what she’s truly going through. But as her old life begins to creep back in, Hattie soon realizes that starting over isn’t as easy as she thought.

Caught between who she was and who she wanted to be, Hattie must confront the truth: accepting the past is essential to moving forward. But if acceptance is supposed to be simple, why does it feel so difficult?

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

This was always going to get a good rating from me: I strongly and firmly believe that the issue of disability (and ESPECIALLY invisible disability) is a thoroughly under-utilised and under-represented subject in media - and even when it is used, it just doesn't seem to get much traction in the same way that other issues do. Maybe it's because it hits so close to home for me but I will always be a supporter of books that start these conversations, even if the conversation isn't perfect. Give me good books about disability, give me bad books about disability, give me complex theoretical explorations of disability, give me mainstream page turners and easy-reads about disability, I want it all, just please let's continue to make people stop and think about what it's like to not be able-bodied I beg.

Now in all honesty: I started off on the wrong foot with this book - I have a weird pet-peeve for compulsive liars in stories or characters who purposefully refuse to communicate and in doing so make their situation way worse (basically anything that makes me want to throw the book across the room and shout 'TALK TO EACH OTHER FOR FUCK'S SAKE') so after reading the first few chapters, me and this book were not on the greatest of terms to say the least.

I did end up changing my mind since luckily the book does a good job of showing how, due the different layers of trauma built by years of micro-aggressions and lack of healthy coping mechanisms, Hattie has become the way she is. This was especially true with some of the late-book conversations between Hattie and Ella which resonated way too deeply with me and reminded me of how absolutely INFURIATING it can be to have some people, even people who think they have your best interest at heart, simply not get it, not matter how much you talk and try to communicate with them. The fact that there was no simple resolution between them and that the solution actually ISN'T as simple as 'talk to each other!', ended up being one of the major selling points of this book.

I still wouldn't say this was the best book I've ever read about the subject, and I do believe that on occasion it just is a little too far-fetched for me to completely relate to Hattie. But it has way more than enough heart to make up for it and then some.

"Alter Ego" by Helen Heckety is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of identity, self-perception, and the dual lives we sometimes lead. Heckety’s writing is insightful and richly layered, making this story both a psychological exploration and a gripping narrative that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

The novel likely centers around a protagonist who leads a double life or discovers an unexpected facet of their identity—an alter ego that they either consciously create or unexpectedly uncover. This duality might manifest in various ways, such as a secret talent, a hidden passion, or even an entirely different persona that emerges under certain circumstances. As the protagonist navigates these two sides of themselves, they grapple with the consequences of their hidden life and the impact it has on their relationships, career, and sense of self.

Heckety's characters are probably well-drawn, with the protagonist’s inner conflict serving as the driving force of the narrative. The story might delve into themes of self-acceptance, the masks we wear, and the fine line between who we are and who we present to the world. The tension between the protagonist’s public and private selves adds layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the story.

"Alter Ego" is perfect for readers who enjoy psychological dramas or stories that explore the intricacies of identity and personal transformation. Helen Heckety has likely crafted a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is suspenseful, offering readers a compelling look at the dualities within us all. Whether you’re drawn to stories about self-discovery, secret lives, or the complexities of human nature, "Alter Ego" promises to be a memorable and engaging read.

Alter Ego by Helen Heckety is the sort of novel that if you don't relate to it directly, you can relate to it in respect of people in your life.

Home, family, work, daily life, I could relate on every level and oh my heart ached by the end because it was so on point in respect of the experience of living with disability, hidden or otherwise, no matter the type, Hattie seeking humour as she endured, hiding her condition at work for fear of getting sacked, and putting so much energy into appearing "normal".

I don't know Helen Heckety's personal experience of this, but the empathy and insight is refreshing. An outstanding book

Thank you to NetGalley, Dialogue Books | Renegade Books and Helen Heckety for this awesome ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This is an excellent novel about hidden disability, friendships and knowing yourself. I’d like this novel to be on the school curriculum as it expertly demonstrates the effort some people have to make to function daily in a society that doesn’t make adjustments for them.

Despite the seemingly heavy subject matter, there are moments of humour as well as insight and empathy. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone!

Starting again is never easy. Hattie has a simple plan to re-start her life, away from her overbearing and often insensitive friends, she moves to Wales where no-one knows she is living with a painful, hidden disability. This was a thoughtful story exploring the modern world as a young person living with a hidden illness, Hattie struggles with certain everyday tasks and physical pain, requiring additional effort and mental load when navigating work, love, and friendship. Her desire for freedom and a sense of ‘normality’ is incredibly relatable especially as we work through the plot, with short chapters taking us back to how in pivotal moments of growing up her disability has been cruelly acknowledged by those around her. Dealing not only with the physical elements of a chronic illness or disability, but with the social element which creates heart-wrenching moments. This was an important narrative, one which I don’t think is often explored and in Alter Ego it is done with humour and heart. Hattie is an incredibly likeable lead, weaving a tangled web of lies in an attempt for a fresh start. It inevitably will unravel, but you root for her all the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me and I DNF'd it. But it would be a good book for ones who like this style.

Loved this book a perfect description of what it is like to have an invisible disability

I very much enjoyed this novel which perfectly describes the difficulties of a life affected by an invisible disability. I myself suffer from chronic pain related to severe arthritis and found it very easy to empathise with the main character. Hattie.
Hattie wishes herself healthy and has gone as far as moving away from her friends to a new part of the country and starting a new job. She doesn’t tell any of her new friends and work colleagues about her medical condition and lies to her friends about living with a new boyfriend. Oh what a tangled web she would weaves probably not unexpected things go wrong and she gets into a real mess ultimately needing her friends both New and Old to help her.

As a person he serves suffers from a largely invisible disability with many of the same issues that the main character in this novel has I felt that this subscription was enc accurate. I entirely empathise with the characters frustration although perhaps not with her outbursts of anger.
The author has a beautiful flowing writing style and the novel was a pleasure to read although the subject matter was potentially quite upsetting. The author manages to deal with all the issues with the subtlety and lightness that does not deflect from their significance. It was a pleasure to read a main character with a disability.
There is a little potential love Story in the middle of the book and I was pleased to see that the author didn’t choose the most obvious way to conclude this relationship. It made the novel feel more real.
I particularly enjoyed this. Paragraph“When people come, they come to get fixed because they can’t fix you where do you go next? When the people who are meant to fix you can’t you start to see the cracks in all things all places all people” this really rang true to me.
I would recommend the novel to those who enjoy our primarily relationship based novel the book that I’ve read that I see the most similarity to our is still life a memoir by Josie George, which is as a title suggests a true story about the authors chronic illness.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book was published on the 18th of July 2024 by Dialogue books.
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, and my book blog bionic Sarah S books at work press.com. It will also appear on Amazon UK.

I very much enjoyed this story, a tale of Hattie who decides to move to a new country, telling her friends and family that she has a boyfriend and a job there.

Hattie is not telling the truth because she is tired of being pitied and cared for By her friends and family who don’t understand how dispiriting, frustrating and difficult her disability is her to manage, along with the emotional trauma of always being ‘looked after’ or looked down.on.

This opened my eyes to how we all have different experiences of the same events, places and how we should all be a lot more considerate of the actual needs of others rather than how we perceived their needs and experiences.

Thanks to #NetGalley
For the opportunity to read this book had a publication and exchange for an honest review

Witty and smart, this book packs a punch. Hattie is a glorious protagonist who captures the reader’s heart with her wholesome kookiness. I loved the disability perspective and how much the book challenges stereotypes and unconscious biases.

Alter Ego is an honest and original novel about living with disability.
The objectives and intentions of the author and the themes in this book deserve 5 stars.
Heckety's writing is vibrant and fresh - 4.5 stars for that.
As for the book itself, if you cut into two halves, but not from the middle, one half would be perfect whereas the other one would be alright.
Hattie, as someone who is fed up with how others perceive her because of her disability, comes up with a plan - so far so good.
Then, we witness her authentic struggles - I enjoyed how these were not sugarcoated.
Though, when it comes to Hattie's personality, it is not all likeable behaviours at all times. I understand some of the reasons behind this choice (both the author's characterisation of Hattie, and Hattie as a representation of a person who might exist/a realistic character), however I could not get past all of her deceptions and bad choices. But of course, this is a bit balanced with the fact that others are not treating Hattie fairly. Her childhood friend is at times clueless and at times cruel.
I do not know how to rate this book. I have mixed feelings, mostly positive ones, but if I am being honest this is more of a 3.5 rounded down for me. I highly recommend this book, and I am eager to read more by this author.

Alter Ego by Helen Heckety

Hattie leaves her friends and family behind and moves to Wales to start a new life where no-one knows she's disabled. This results in a tangled web of lies as she tries to hide the challenges she faces from her new boss and colleagues. Eventually things come to a head and Hattie has to make some important decisions about how she lives her life going forward.

A really original concept and fantastic to see a disabled main character in a book - more of this please! As a chronically ill/disabled woman myself, albeit much older, I am all too familiar with the issues Hattie faces in the book - wanting the world to not be ableist, but also not wanting to be patronised as a disabled person... A fabulous debut and I'm looking forward to reading what Helen Heckety writes next. Very highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

"Sometimes you just need to get a little lost before you find your way back again."

This is a brilliantly written book that really does make you see the world differently, even if just for a few moments.

Hattie is a woman with a plan, and that plan involves completely removing herself from the life she has always lived. A plan to reinvent herself in a place that nobody knows her or her disability. A brave decision or one that will she will regret?

Hattie has a disability, a disability that she is now fighting to hide from her 'new' life. She is sick of being the 'disabled' one in her group, the one who constantly recieves pitying looks and hears the whispers around the room. Even worse is the fact that her childhood friends all treat her as if she's made of glass and they are the ones who supposedly really know her.

This is a really powerful story that I think anyone could relate to, not just those with an illness or disability. We have all avoided confronting our problems at some point, and Hattie is the master of burying her head in the sand.

A story of new beginnings and new friends that had me laughing out loud one minute and feeling heartbroken the next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dialogue Books for the ARC.

I could relate to so much of this character's struggle - and the mess she makes of sorting it out! Partly that's because I suffer from a chronic illness and so the frustration of having an invisible disability hit the nail right on the head - but I think that anyone would be able to relate to the way she avoids confronting her problems. The humour and the heartache make this story powerful.

This book is quite a journey! I would highly recommend it to anyone who struggles to feel comfortable in their own skin and find it challenging to love and accept themselves. As someone with a hidden disability, I found the story to be compelling, relatable, and honest. Hattie, the main character, is very relatable and well-developed, with flaws that can be a bit annoying at times, but they make her a raw and real character. The character development was my favorite aspect of the book. I haven't come across a similar book before, so I found it refreshing and a real page-turner. A big thank you to Helen and the publisher for granting me access to this ARC.

Alter Ego is exactly the book I've been searching for. Helen Heckety crafts a marvelous narrative that is relatable on so many levels. "Why can't I be who I want to be" is a particular line that has stayed with me. The honesty and humanity of the main character made her feel like a true friend. I finished the book last night and already miss spending time with her.

I powered through this book in two days and can't wait for Helen's next work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Renegade Books for the ARC.

5/5 Stars

All I can say is WOW, what a beautiful book! I couldn't get enough and absolutely devoured it! Equal parts hilarious & heart-wrenching, this read has given me a lot of food for thought at how disabilities, especially hidden disabilities, are viewed in society, and the struggle people with disabilities go through daily just to try and live in a world built for non-disabled people.

Whilst the character of Hattie was sometimes frustrating (shouting at my kindle to stop digging the Oliver shaped hole!), I appreciated the flaws of her personality, as a young woman trying to adapt and hide parts of herself that she thinks would not be accepted by others.

I think the last page of this book really cemented this as a 5* read for me, sometimes we really need to 'hold on' to ourselves!

I really enjoyed this book. As a sufferer of a hidden illness which affects my daily life I was curious to hear what Helen Heckety had to say and what she did say did not disappoint. Helen put into words what I have been struggling to vocalise to my family and friends for many years and has made me realise my own faults primarily that of assuming other people automatically know what I need! Well done Helen for an enlightening read.

Really enjoyed the disability rep in this one, but it wasn’t able to keep my attention the whole way through so I skimmed the last 20%. Thank you for the opportunity.