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books_n_bananas's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
purplesky02's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this overall, but at times I found the group of friends to be a bit annoying, with all their inside jokes. I liked the plot overall and I liked the characters as well.
agsmith07's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Cleverly plotted an well written. Just what the doctor ordered after a string of heavy reads!
mbenzz's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. This book was ok, but I certainly didn't love it. I spent the majority of it thinking how incredibly unbelievable it was. ALL these people (Myra, Heather, Fish, Robbie, Karen, etc.) didn't catch on to the fact that Jenny wasn't Jessie? The noticeably different shoe size, the completely different personality, the vague look that would cross her face whenever anyone mentioned anything about the past? Nope. Sorry...not buying it.
Don't get me wrong, this is a cute, well written book, and if you're able to suspend all belief and read it as something to take up a lazy Sunday, then you'll enjoy it. I just couldn't get over the unrealistic (and often times creepy) scenarios. Jenny may have convinced herself that she meant well, but she was still a stranger staying in Myra's house...sleeping with a man who thought she was another woman and giving life advice to a man pouring his heart out to someone he thought was his long-lost best friend. Sorry...that's not funny or charming...its sad and creepy. I did feel bad for Jenny, and her horrible upbringing, but pretending to be someone else just wasn't the answer.
Don't get me wrong, this is a cute, well written book, and if you're able to suspend all belief and read it as something to take up a lazy Sunday, then you'll enjoy it. I just couldn't get over the unrealistic (and often times creepy) scenarios. Jenny may have convinced herself that she meant well, but she was still a stranger staying in Myra's house...sleeping with a man who thought she was another woman and giving life advice to a man pouring his heart out to someone he thought was his long-lost best friend. Sorry...that's not funny or charming...its sad and creepy. I did feel bad for Jenny, and her horrible upbringing, but pretending to be someone else just wasn't the answer.
lookatjimmy's review
4.0
Have I ever wanted to be someone else? Absolutely. Do I think I would go to the lengths Jenny went in this book? I mean. Never say never.
mercbubble42's review
3.0
Pretty funny with some very touching and some funnier moments. While it was difficult to get behind her with the crazy path she was going down, I still found Jenny relatable and a good character. Who doesn't wish they could be someone else or have someone else's life every once in a while? But instead of making you want to do something so nuts, the book really makes you examine your own life and think about how you could live it more fully.
brighteyes1178's review against another edition
5.0
Why Can't I Be You is just as fun, adorable and satisfying a read as Stay, Allie Larkin's first book. I finished the book in a day when I should have been grading and am annoyed that Larkin has only written two books so far.
doublearegee's review against another edition
4.0
Four and a half stars. Definitely the best story I've read this year. It was a world I wanted to crawl into and stay there- ironic, given the theme of the book. This one is definitely going into my library.