If I Were You by Helen Matthews

 

DESCRIPTION

(From Goodreads)

Tessa, a former career woman with long Covid and depression, lives a reclusive life in a London suburb. When her long estranged younger sister Maddie suddenly turns up with a baby, events spiral. Maddie claims she’s fled a controlling partner who is threatening to take the child. Overwhelmed at first, Tessa wants to help—both her sister and, by acting, herself.

But the situation grows murkier. Maddie speaks of a man named Zak, the baby’s father, who isolated and manipulated her. Her story has gaps and contradictions. Flashbacks and Maddie’s behavior plant doubts. Is she really just a victim? As Tessa gets pulled deeper into Maddie’s account, she begins to question her own reality.

Between old loyalty and new mistrust, the sisters’ relationship frays. When Maddie suddenly disappears and leaves the baby with Tessa, Tessa faces a Should she believe Maddie’s warnings? Or is she caught in a game she can’t control?

MY TWO CENTS:

This ended up being a big disappointment for me. The first half of the book was so slow that I was getting discouraged and debated not finishing. When Stanley entered the scene, it became better, and honestly, he was the best part of the whole thing in my opinion.

I know we are supposed to have sympathy for Maddie, but I cannot stand when characters are written to be martyrish. Whining as an adult how her sister, Tessa, was "perfect" was grating. Any grown up knows that nobody is perfect and shouldn't still be simpering about what their parents thought of their siblings, especially when they were younger. Furhtermore, Maddie ticked me off crying victim when she put herself in SEVERAL bad situations and then didn't really want to take responsibility for that either. She just continued with her woe is me act. There is a flash of hope at the end that she may end up stepping up and taking responsiblity for her life, but it ended so the reader didn't get to find out.

I kept waiting for a twist, but it didn't show up. I appreciate the opportunity from NetGalley. No review was required. As always, this is just my opinion and I hope the author does well with the book.