When I tell hubs that I am not myself today, he knows to stay far far away from me, because I am MOOODY! I can’t even imagine what he would say if I looked at him and told him I was an 18-year old soccer star stuck in a 30-something mom bod. Wait – maybe I should try this.

He just gave me the look that says he’s humoring me, then asked if this has something to do with a Disney movie we just watched called Switching Bodies. When I said no, he then asked if it was about a book I was reading. This man knows me well.

Don’t worry – the book was much better than my delivery.

First Impressions

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy body swapping movies and books. I was drawn to this one because it added the element of a well-to-do 18-year old star athlete who’s life is about to begin with a 14-year old sex trafficking victim. I have read other books about victims, and what can happen to them when they are rescued. I wanted to see how this one turned out.

What Kept Me Turning the Pages

From the start, we meet Lindsey Anderson – soccer star! She’s playing the biggest game of her high school career, and is heading off to college on scholarship. During the game, she kicks the game winning goal! And then she drops dead and wakes up in the body of Annabeth Shepard, a 14-year old sex trafficking victim. Annabeth was trying to escape with her friend when she was caught by her pimp.

Lindsey cannot accept this new body she was given. She tries to convince everyone she sees who she really is, while trying to stay safe from a murderous pimp chasing her. I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what happened next – would anyone believe her? Would she be stuck in Annabeth’s body forever? Would she survive the night?

What Made Me Scratch My Head

The only thing that didn’t sit right with me was the free use of the word “hooker” when Lindsey kept referencing Annabeth. I could write it off as a spoiled, sheltered teen would speak like that, but after Lindsey learns more about Annabeth’s life and realizes she was a victim, she still kept referring to her as a hooker. I tried to put it out of my head, but then I read the interview with the author who wrote she always wanted to write a book about a hooker but ultimately changed it to a child victim.

I’ve read a few books about sex trafficking victims, and this is the first where this word came up. I just feel like it’s already such an uphill battle for people to realize this is a problem, and when the girls are rescued and have acting out issues, finding some empathy for them rather than looking at them like they wish they would disappear. This word belittles that experience and helps those that do not want to see the truth compartmentalize it as “oh she was just some hooker.” Especially given the book is YA where judgement can be high and empathy can be low.

Final Thoughts

I did enjoy this story and could not put it down once I got to the end. I had to see how everything would turn out. The book was left a little open, possibly for a sequel? I would be curious to see what happens next!