After Rosie's mother Trudie dies of Huntington's Disease, her mum's best friend Sarah, a midwife discloses a secret. On the night Rosie was born, the same night her father died in a crash rushing to the hospital, Trudie gave birth to a sickly baby. Another woman, barely a woman at seventeen, gave birth and abandoned a healthy baby. Sarah didn't think Trudie's baby will survive, so she switches their ID bracelets, unbeknownst to Trudie. Now, eighteen years later, Sarah tells Rosie the story of her birth, and that Rosie doesn't have to worry about the 50% chance she has of inheriting HD. After a bit of low tech sleuthing, Rosi learns her bio mum's name, and that she's living in Hollywood. Rosie takes off to the USA with her ex boyfriend/friend, determined to meet the mother who gave birth to her. But, when she reaches New York, she discovers things are not as she imagined. Trudie's baby, Holly, survived and is living with Rosie's biological father, who came to the hospital and took custody of baby Holly, Trudie's bio baby. Complicated enough? That's only the beginning.In the first section of SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE (SEL), from Rosie's first person POV, she learns about the switch, discovers her bio mum's name and goes to the USA. This initial one third of this over 400 page dragged slowly. The second 2/3s kept me glued to my Kindle as the pace and tension, and my enjoyment of the novel, increased from page to page. I was so glad SEL was a long story, because I truly didn't want the story to end. These chapters varied between. Rosie's and Holly's points of view. Katie Dale's writing flows beautifully from page to page. I don't usually enjoy British books as much as American ones, because looking up unfamiliar words and phrases and every time I come across a word like "behaviour" when I'm expecting "behavior" I get distracted. SEL read mostly like an American written novel. I have enough distractions with three active cats trying to help me read or dropping things off tables, just because they can, I don't need distractions in my books. Rosie was easy to root for, but more difficult for me to relate to on personal level. She and every other character in the boom shared a pension for keeping secrets and for being less than forthright, a characteristic I don't like or respect in characters any more than I do people. I see partial disclosure of information, allegedly to "protect" another person, is usually because the one with the secret doesn't want to take responsibility or deal with the fallout. Rosie was multilayered. Just when I thought I'd know her reaction, she surprised me while still being true to her character. She grew throughout the story. Holly was immature, entitled and selfish at the beginning. She grew the most of any character, and I wound up liking and respecting her. My favorite character was Jack, Rosie's bio dad and the dad Holly is fiercely attached to, despite the fact he was somewhat controlling with Holly and a bit of a hothead.SEL had a number of unexpected twists and turns, yet none was convoluted. Although some were a bit too coincidental, they worked. I recommend SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE as a very enjoyable read, though people who like shorter novels might feel frustrated in the beginning. I wanted the ending to be different, but it certainly worked with the novel. People who like stories about family, friendship, moral dilemmas, and unpredictability will love SEL. Ok i have rated 4 star because i totally loved it . It blew me away. Rosie's mum has died from a disease called Huntington's. I'll be honest and say I knew nothing about Huntington's before I read this book. Then her aunt( her mom's best frnd ) told her that she's not her real child after that she starts looking for her real parent .. There the real story begins , The journey is full surprise , romance , drama . . .
What do You think about Someone Else's Life (2012)?
This book made me think. Cry. Yell. Thanks for your 5 seconds. 5 stars.
—rashi
I loved this book. I cried and laughed and everything in between.
—tolucophoto
too many plot twists. extremely dysfunctional family.
—biju
