annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"Why is it so hard to say no to everyone except myself?"
Phillipa Soo once again delivered one of the best audiobook out there. She as the narrator is definitely a must hear! Her feelings whenever she delivers a line of Gracie's and even how she voices both Sam and Fangli! Especially Sam! With the British accent to boot!
The story is good but nothing that would make me rate it high since it doesn't have that much staying power. Although I did enjoy this after the half mark, that's for sure. It's somewhat different from the current trends since it's about impersonating someone that looks like you (although plot twist:
It's more about family than it is romance for me, which I have nothing against since it's a good balance between the two topics. I love the relationship between Grace and Fangli a little bit more than Grace and Sam, although it's only a little bit! I love seeing friendship bloom especially if the other half is an actress.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Abandonment and Sexual content
lara_r's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Chronic illness, Dementia, and Grief
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol and Stalking
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Gracie is stuck - personally, professionally, and financially. Then a paparazzo mistakes her for Chinese actress Wei Fangli and she gets fired from her job. When Fangli pulls up next to her offering a lot of money to act as her public double, Grace knows this is her break, to guarantee her mother a spot in a better care center and to give her some space while she finds a new job.
Unfortunately, she's doing this with Sam Yao, Sexiest Man of the Year, who seems to take issue with her very presence. As she is posed, primped, and polished, Grace finds herself wrestling with both this role of a lifetime as well as her unwelcome feelings for Sam.
I had a blast reading The Stand-In! Gracie is painfully similar to me, like down to the lists and insecurities, so it was particularly refreshing and heartwarming to see her overcome the same things I'm working on. Her chemistry with Sam was delicious, and her relationships with Fangli, Anjali, and her mother were just as expertly written. I only really knocked a star because the whole miscommunication trope is not my vibe, but outside of that it's hard to fault!
Unfortunately, she's doing this with Sam Yao, Sexiest Man of the Year, who seems to take issue with her very presence. As she is posed, primped, and polished, Grace finds herself wrestling with both this role of a lifetime as well as her unwelcome feelings for Sam.
I had a blast reading The Stand-In! Gracie is painfully similar to me, like down to the lists and insecurities, so it was particularly refreshing and heartwarming to see her overcome the same things I'm working on. Her chemistry with Sam was delicious, and her relationships with Fangli, Anjali, and her mother were just as expertly written. I only really knocked a star because the whole miscommunication trope is not my vibe, but outside of that it's hard to fault!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Cursing
zoegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Mental illness, and Medical content
katielaine_w's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
Minor: Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Racism, and Xenophobia
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