Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Stand-In by Lily Chu

15 reviews

hjb_128's review

emotional 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Dementia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

hmwoodward's review against another edition

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

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

btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Fatphobia and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer and Death of parent

_alyssar_'s review

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

daniellekat's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

It has been a long time since I last stayed up all night reading, but this was worth it. I was in desperate need of something light and fluffy and this did the trick. The writing is simple but smooth, and the plot was realistic. The author did a good job of creating believable motivations for the characters. The ending was meh, the

long lost sister

plot line was a little weak and silly for me. I loved the way she wrote about Toronto though, enough specifics that had me and I'm sure other locals smiling, but non-local readers won't be drowning in details. Overall, I found it to be little on the long side but a solid PG romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Classism

Minor: Cancer and Alcohol

lara_r's review

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Dementia, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Stalking and Alcohol

hayjay's review

emotional funny relaxing 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child death, Racism, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

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! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol

kyleethecatlady'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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Dementia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol