Cover Image: The Substitute

The Substitute

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Member Reviews

A modern interpretation of the twin-swap trope which really works. There was unexpected humour at times as we see an introvert forced into a world and situations he never imagined, let alone sought. Fast paced and interesting.

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If you only ever read one book in your life - this would be a good choice. It is a wonderful story with amazing characters, an interesting plot and superb writing.
I especially love the portrayal of social anxiety in this book. It is so much more than "being unable to talk to people" or "being shy", Also, it does not get magically cured by being confronted with other people all of a sudden and John Cantan did not dissapoint me on that matter.
The twins have such different personalities, but still an amazing sense of familiy and brotherhood, I adored every minute I spent reading.
The ending deserves yet another mention because - guess what? - being around people does not magically cure you of social anxiety. The fact that the author remembered this and actually used it in his story made me love this book even more.
The writing is flawless. I was unable to put this book down (and I got really annoyed and bad-tempered when I was forced to do so), which is exactly what I am looking for in a book. I want to be sucked into the story, I want to be captivated by the writing, I want to be unable to put the book down - and this book delivered on every point.
Also, can we talk about the cover? I have a fable for merged covers and this one is very beautiful.

I received a free copy by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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An amusing and quirky story about twins, Magne who has become a secret agent and Davyn a professor of anthropology. Magne is missing and Kaleo “Leo” Sandalwood, his partner, contacts Davyn to fill in for Magne as they believe someone from the “company” has abducted him. Davyn is the definition of an absent-minded professor who doesn’t deal well with “people”. Never knowing what he is supposed to say, he receives instructions from Leo in an ear piece which doesn’t always work out well. He is trying to learn the role he is to play and actually talk to people, but that doesn’t always work out well either. Will he be able to keep it together long enough to rescue his brother? I thought when I read the summary that this would be a fun read, and it was. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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The twins story has been told many times as identical trade places. But it’s never been told this way. When an introvert college professor is forced to assume his extrovert secret agent brother’s place, things get interesting. The extrovert’s experience as the professor is also epic. The author does a great job of “showing” rather than “telling” how these personality styles act and interact.

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