Reviews tagging 'Dementia'

The Stand-In by Lily Chu

73 reviews

hmwoodward's review

funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

This is a sweet (closed door) romcom with a storyline that I definitely enjoyed reading, even if the overall story and the twist was unbelievable. However, I liked the main character and found her to be relatable and realistic. Her constant attempts to organize her life and do dreadful tasks sound too familiar! It was fun to see all the different productivity tools she tried and how she struggled with each as it is not one size fits all. She struggles a lot with self doubt and trusting people in her life - always trying to just do things herself instead. She's just a normal person who steps into a life of luxury for a short time, coming out the other side with a new perspective on the rich and famous. You really feel for her struggles with her mom and her former boss, as those are also unfortunately realistic.

Overall, this is a great pick if you're looking for a lighthearted and fun read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Cursing, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

brittanylee0302's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

When I picked up this book I was looking for a cute rom com palate cleanser & this was not it. Despite that, it was still very good! There are a lot of heavy topics in this book & it has a very sorrowful background story to it. I found this book to be incredibly predictable the whole way through but I still found it very enjoyable! I also listened to the audio & loved the narrator Phillipa Soo. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Abandonment

apoppyinthewind's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this one, it was exactly what I needed after my last read: A lighter yet heartfelt story with loveable characters. The plot of a random woman being asked to be a stand-in for a famous actress is far-fetched and I initially expected this book to be over the top but it was surprisingly grounded which was wonderful to read. Yes, there are decadent fashions and name-dropping of high-end designers but the majority of the story focuses on the relationships between characters Sam, Gracie, and Fangli. Also, much of the story focuses on the main character Gracie learning how to let people in and stand up for herself at the same time. 

This book deals with sexual harassment, Alzheimer's, parental loss, and caring for an elderly parent alongside the rom-com plot. I think the writer handles these subjects well and has a good balance between the serious aspects and lighthearted aspects of the story. Overall, I would recommend checking this book if you're looking for a fun read and I will be checking out more by this author.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racism, Sexism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

finnickdeservedbetter's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense 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

4.0

For readers who like:

• celebrity romance
• fake identity
• dislike to lovers
• biracial (asian/white) MC
• first gen Canadian MC

The book was like a breathe of fresh air. I was kinda putting it off in favour of other books but I wish I hadn't. The characters are ao well-rounded and dimensional. They had flaws of course but I could relate to each one and honestly, see myself being friends with any of them.

This touched on a few big topics (like identity- being biracial and the child of an immigrant, mental health, and sexual harrassment to name a few) but all in a very accessible and approachable way. 

The only reason I didn't give it 5☆ is the unnecessary (isn't it always?)

third act breakup paired with miscommunication 🤢

. 

Other than that tho, I really enjoyed this book and got through it all in one sitting. This is my first book by Lily Chu but it definitely won't be my last.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

clalaure's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

_alyssar_'s review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Racism, and Dementia

Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Abandonment

juliacsmith's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Sexism, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Grief, and Abandonment

mariyah_reads's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Racism

emfass'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

Philippa Soo is DELIGHTFUL as the narrator. Lily Chu's writing is so entertaining, fresh, invigorating, and just so so good. The dialogue sparkles.

This was a closed-door romance which I usually do not go in for (personal preference only, happy for those that like it/don't mind it!), but the writing was so freaking great.

I had some issues with parts of the plot

(how one-dimensional the sexually harassing boss was, the mother leaving her daughter in another country and never ever being in touch, I mean UGH)

, but overall really enjoyed this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent

aqtbenz's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer, Racism, and Death of parent