Review: When I Was You by Amber Garcia

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Nadene @ Totally Addicted to Reading in Reviews / 18 Comments

I went into this book with little expectations as it was my first time experiencing the authorโ€™s work. However, the moment I started reading I knew that this would be a book I would not be able to put down. When you have a story where you question the sanity of the main character you know you are in for a twisted read.

When I was You introduced the reader to Kelly Medina who is trying to cope with being an empty nester as her son Aaron left home for college. Her husband a professor works for University far from their home, so he only comes home on weekends. She tries to fill her lonely days with yoga and volunteering. One day she receives a call from the townโ€™s paediatrician reminding her of her sonโ€™s appointment. Hmmm, but her son is an adult, which would mean there are two Kelly Medinas living in Folsom. How is that even possible? Well, Kelly number one was determined to find out about the second Kelly, even if it meant stalking her.

To be honest, I started out not being a big fan of the original Kelly. I found her to be whiny, frustrating, obsessive and one screw short of the Looney bin. She was one of the most unreliable characters I have ever encountered. However, as the story progressed, I learnt that all is not as it appears to be.

When I was You is one of those stories that readers need to go into as blindly as they possibly can. I thought I knew the direction the story would take, but boy oh boy I was so wrong.
I had so many theories, some of which proved right, but my theory regarding the principal part of the story didnโ€™t even come close. Talk about twists. This book had it in spades and do not get me started on the ending, which left me utterly speechless. I thought to myself, what the hell just happened? I am not in agreement with how the end played out, but I understood why it happened. This story will definitely mess with your head.

The author made use of the second person narrative while switching between the POVs of the two Kellys. I found the method fascinating as it added to the mystery. It had me questioning what was real and what were delusions.

Conclusion/Recommendation
I found this to be an interesting and suspenseful read. I recommend this to readers of psychological thrillers.

Chapter One

ย 

It was a Monday morning in early October when I first heard about you. I was getting out of the shower when my phone rang. After throwing on a robe and cinching it, I ran into my bedroom, snatching my cell off the nightstand.

Unknown number.

Normally, I let those go. But Iโ€™d already run all the way in here, and I thought maybe it was a call from Dr. Hillermanโ€™s office.

โ€œHello?โ€ I answered, breathless. Goosebumps rose on my pale flesh, so I pulled the robe tighter around me. My sopping wet hair dripped down my back.

โ€œIs this Kelly Medina?โ€

Great. A salesperson. โ€œYes,โ€ I answered, wishing I hadnโ€™t picked up.

โ€œHi, Kelly, this is Nancy from Dr. Cramerโ€™s office. Iโ€™m calling to remind you of your well-baby appointment this Friday at ten am.โ€

โ€œWell-baby?โ€ I let out a surprised laugh. โ€œYouโ€™re about nineteen years too late.โ€

โ€œExcuse me?โ€ Nancy asked, clearly confused.

ย โ€œMy son isnโ€™t a baby,โ€ I explained. โ€œHeโ€™s nineteen.โ€

โ€œOh, Iโ€™m so sorry,โ€ Nancy immediately replied. I could hear the clicking of a keyboard.ย  โ€œI apologize. I called the wrong Kelly Medina.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s another Kelly Medina in Folsom?โ€ My maiden name had been Smith. There are a million other Kelly Smiths in the world. In California, even. But since Iโ€™d married Rafael, Iโ€™d never met another Kelly Medina. Until now.

Until you.

โ€œYes. Her child is a new patient.โ€

It felt like yesterday when my child was a new patient. I remembered sitting in the waiting room of Dr. Cramerโ€™s office, holding my tiny newborn, waiting for the nurse to call my name.

ย โ€œI have no idea how this happened. Itโ€™s like your numbers got switched in the system or something,โ€ Nancy muttered, and I wasnโ€™t sure if she was talking to me or herself. โ€œAgain, Iโ€™m so sorry.โ€

I assured her it was fine, and hung up. My hair was still wet from the shower, but instead of blow-drying it I headed downstairs to make some tea first. On my way, I passed Aaronโ€™s room. The door was closed, so I pressed it open with my palm. The wood was cold against my skin. Shivering, I took in his neatly made bed, the movie posters tacked to the wall, the darkened desktop computer in the corner.

Leaning against the doorframe of Aaronโ€™s room, my mind flew back to the day he left for college. I remembered his broad smile, his sparkling eyes. Heโ€™d been so anxious to leave here. To leave me. I shouldโ€™ve been happy for him. He was doing what Iโ€™d raised him to do.

Boys were supposed to grow up and leave.

In my head I knew that. But in my heart it was hard to let him go.

After closing Aaronโ€™s door, I headed down to the kitchen.

The house was silent. It used to be filled with noise โ€“ Aaronโ€™s little feet stomping down the hallway, his sound effects as he played with toys, his chattering as he got older. Now it was always quiet. Especially during the week when Rafael stayed in the Bay Area for work. Aaron had been gone over a year. Youโ€™d think Iโ€™d be used to it by now. But, actually, it seemed to get worse over time. The constant silence.

The phone call had thrown me. For a second it felt like Iโ€™d gone back in time, something I longed for most days. When Aaron was born everyone told me to savor all the moments because it went by too quickly. It was hard for me to imagine. I hadnโ€™t had the easiest life growing up, and it certainly hadnโ€™t flown by. And the nine months I was pregnant with Aaron had gone on forever, every day longer than the one before.

But they were right.

Aaronโ€™s childhood was fleeting. The moments were elusive like a butterfly, practically impossible to catch. And now it was gone. He was a man. And I was alone.

Rafael kept encouraging me to find a job to fill my time, but Iโ€™d already tried that. When Aaron first left, I applied for a bunch of jobs. Since Iโ€™d been out of work for so long, no one wanted to hire me. Thatโ€™s when Christine suggested I volunteer somewhere. So I started helping out at a local food bank, handing out food once a week and occasionally doing a little administrative stuff. I enjoyed it, but it wasnโ€™t enough. It barely filled any of my time. Besides, I was one of many volunteers. I wasnโ€™t needed. Not the way Aaron had needed me when he was a child.

When he left, the Kelly Iโ€™d always known ceased to exist. Vanished into thin air. I was merely a ghost now, haunting my house, the streets, the town.ย 

As the water boiled, I thought about you. Thought about how lucky you were to have a baby and your whole life ahead of you. I wondered what you were doing right now. Not sitting alone in your big, silent house, I bet. No, you were probably chasing your cute little baby around your sunny living room, the floor littered with toys, as he crawled on all fours and laughed.

Was your child a boy? The lady on the phone didnโ€™t say, but thatโ€™s what I pictured. A chubby, smiling little boy like my Aaron.

The kettle squealed, and I flinched. I poured the boiling water in a mug and steam rose from it, circling the air in front of my face. Tossing in the tea bag, I breathed it in, leaning my back against the cool tile counter. The picture window in front of me revealed our perfectly manicured front yard โ€“ bright green grass lined with rose bushes. Iโ€™d always been particular about the roses. When Aaron was a kid he always wanted to help with the pruning, but I never let him. Afraid heโ€™d mess them up, I guess. Seemed silly now.

Heart pinching, I blew out a breath.

I wondered about your yard. What did it look like? Did you have roses? I wondered if youโ€™d let your son help you prune them. I wondered if youโ€™d make the same mistakes I had.

Bringing the mug to my lips, I took a tiny sip of the hot tea. It was mint, my favorite. I allowed the flavors to sit on my tongue a minute before swallowing it down. The refrigerator hummed. The ice shifted in the ice maker. My shoulders tensed slightly. I rolled them out, taking another sip.

Shoving off the counter, I was headed toward the stairs when my cell buzzed inside my pocket. My pulse spiked. It couldnโ€™t be Rafael. He was a professor and his first class had already started.

Aaron?

Nope. It was a text from Christine.

Going to yoga this morning?

Iโ€™d already showered. I was about to tackle my latest organization project. Today was the kitchen pantry. Last week Iโ€™d bought a bunch of new containers and bins. Friday Iโ€™d spent the day labeling all of them. After taking the weekend off since Rafael was home, I was anxious to continue with it. Iโ€™d already organized several closets downstairs, but my plan was to work my way through all the closets and cabinets in the house.

Usually I loved yoga, but I had way too much to do today.ย 

No, I typed. Then bit my lip. Backspaced. Stared at the phone. My own reflection emerged on the slick screen – disheveled hair, pale face, dark circles under the eyes.

You need to get out more. Exercise. Itโ€™s not healthy to sit in the house all day. Rafaelโ€™s voice echoed in my head.ย 

The organizing would still be here tomorrow. Besides, who was I kidding? Iโ€™d probably only spend a couple of hours organizing before abandoning my project to read online blogs and articles, or dive into the latest murder mystery I was reading.

I typed, yes, then sent it and hurried to my room to get ready.

Thirty minutes later, I was parking in front of the gym. When I stepped out, a cool breeze whisked over my arms. After three scorching hot summer months, I welcomed it. Fall had always been my favorite season. I relished the festiveness of it. Pumpkins, apples, rustic colors. But mostly it was the leaves falling and being raked away. The bareness of the trees. The shedding of the old to make room for the new. An end, but also a beginning.

Although, we werenโ€™t quite there yet. The leaves were still green, and by afternoon the air would be warm. But in the mornings and evenings we got a tiny sip of a fall, enough to make me thirsty for more.

Securing the gym bag on my shoulder, I walked briskly through the lot. Once inside, it was even colder. The AC blasted as if it was a hundred-degree day. Thatโ€™s okay. It gave me more of an incentive to break a sweat. Smiling at the receptionist, I pulled out my keys for her to scan my card. Only my card wasnโ€™t hanging from my key ring.

I fished around in my bag, but it wasnโ€™t there either. Flushing, I offered the bored receptionist an apologetic smile. โ€œI seem to have misplaced my tag. Can you look me up? Kelly Medina?โ€™

Her eyes widened. โ€œFunny. There was another lady in here earlier today with the same name.โ€

My heart pounded. Iโ€™d been attending this gym for years and never had anyone mentioned you before. I wondered how long youโ€™d worked out here. โ€œIs she still here?โ€ My gaze scoured the lobby as if I might recognize you.

โ€œNo. She was here super early.โ€

Of course you were. I used to be, too, when Aaron was an infant.

โ€œOkay. Youโ€™re all checked in, Kelly,โ€ the receptionist said, buzzing me in.

Clutching my gym bag, I made my way up the stairs toward the yoga room, thoughts of you flooding my mind. A few young women walked next to me, wearing tight tank tops and pants, gym bags hanging off their shoulders. They were laughing and chatting loudly, their long ponytails bouncing behind their heads. I tried to say excuse me, to move past them, but they couldnโ€™t hear me. Impatient, I bit my lip and walked slowly behind them. Finally, I made it to the top. They headed toward the cardio machines, and I pressed open the door to the yoga room.

I spotted Christine already sitting on her mat. Her blond hair was pulled back into a perfectly coifed ponytail. Her eyes were bright and her lips were shiny. I smoothed down my unruly brown hair and licked my dry lips.

She waved me over with a large smile. โ€œYou made it.โ€

โ€œYep.โ€ I dropped my mat and bag next to hers.

โ€œI wasnโ€™t sure. Itโ€™s been awhile.โ€

Shrugging, I sat down on my mat. โ€œBeen busy.โ€

โ€œOh, I totally get that.โ€ She waved away my words with a flick of her slender wrist. โ€œMaddie and Mason have had a bazillion activities lately. Iโ€™ve been running around town like a crazy person. I honestly feel like Iโ€™m going insane.โ€

โ€œSounds rough,โ€ I muttered, slipping off my flip-flops. This was the problem with getting married and having a kid so young. Most of my friends were still raising families.

โ€œI know, right? I canโ€™t wait until theyโ€™re adults and I can do whatever I want.โ€

โ€œYeah, itโ€™s the best,โ€ I said sarcastically.

Her mouth dropped. โ€œOh, Iโ€™m sorry. I wasnโ€™t talking about youโ€ฆโ€ Her pale cheeks turned pink. โ€œI know how much you miss Aaron. Itโ€™s justโ€ฆโ€

I shook my head and offered her a smile โ€œRelax. I get it.โ€

Christine and I met years ago in a yoga class. Sheโ€™s one of those women with almost no self-awareness. Itโ€™s what first drew to me to her. I loved how raw and real she was. Other people shied away from her, unable to handle her filter-less statements. But I found her refreshing and, honestly, pretty entertaining.

ย โ€œI remember how insane it was when Aaron was younger,โ€ I said. โ€œOne year he signed up for baseball and basketball. They overlapped for a bit, and I swear I was taking him to a game or practice like every day.โ€

โ€œYes!โ€ Christine said excitedly, relief evident in her expression. โ€œSometimes itโ€™s all just too much.โ€

โ€œYeah, sometimes it is,โ€ I agreed.

The class was about to start and the room was filling up. It was mainly women, but there were some men. Most of them were with their wives or girlfriends. Iโ€™d tried getting Rafael to come with me before, but he laughed as if the idea was preposterous.

โ€œRemember when there were only a few of us in this class?โ€ Christine asked, her gaze sweeping the room.

I nodded, glancing around. There were so many new people I didnโ€™t know. Not that I was surprised. Folsom had grown a lot in the ten years Iโ€™d lived here. New people moved here every day.

Staring at all the strangers crowding around us, I shivered, my thoughts drifting back to you. We hadnโ€™t even met, and yet I felt like I knew you. We had the same name, the same gym, the same pediatrician for our child.

It felt like kismet. Fate had brought you here to me. I was certain of it.

But why?

ย 

Excerpted from When I Was You by Amber Garza, Copyright ยฉ 2020 by Amber Garza. Published by MIRA Books.

ย 

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About Amber Garza

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California, which isโ€”no jokeโ€”home to another Amber Garza.

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18 responses to “Review: When I Was You by Amber Garcia

  1. RO

    I’m a HUGE fan of psychological thrillers,and once I got finished reading your review, I tried to order it from the library. It wasn’t available, so I’m definitely going to purchase it. Sounds like a truly fascinating read and glad you enjoyed it! Hugs, RO

  2. So glad you enjoyed this one ๐Ÿ™‚ I don’t read too many psychological thrillers so it wasn’t even on my radar!