A review by tillyjournals
The Stand-In by Lily Chu

emotional funny inspiring 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

Gracie's life is falling apart, she can't get her mum into the care home she needs, she's fired from her job, so when famous actress Wei Fangli, who she looks uncannily like, offers to pay Gracie to impersonate her, she decides she has no other choice but to say yes. Pretending to be Fangli, is more challenging than she expected and Sam, who is Fangli's best friend and constant presence, draws Gracie in. Can she manage to keep up the rouse without losing herself, or her heart?

This is really cute, I love Fangli and Sam's friendship and honestly wish I had a friend I could be around that much (darn bestie living too far away!). Sam is just a lovely human being and I love all of the acting references in this. 

The lack of confidence Gracie has is heart breaking and I spent a lot of this book wanting to give her and Fangli a hug. The friendships in this shine through and there is quite a lot of depth to the story. 

I did guess the 'twists' and what the 3rd act drama would be very early in the book, but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy the journey to get there. I wanted more from the epilogue though, it just felt like it ended very abruptly. 
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