4.5 stars. Gracie Reed is living her best blah life. Between juggling the expenses of her mother’s nursing home care, a job with a harassing boss and trying to develop a life planning app, she doesn’t have much to look forward to. Her mother always taught her to keep a low profile by staying under the radar and to not stand out. All of that implodes by a serendipitous coincidence when Gracie is approached by Wei Fangli, a famous Chinese celebrity and actress, to act as her double. Gracie would impersonate Fangli when the occasion calls for it and the compensation would help Gracie with her mom’s expenses. The package includes playing girlfriend to fellow actor Sam Yao, the Sexiest Man in the World according to Celebrity magazine.

I admired Gracie’s struggle from being someone who stays silent, avoids confrontation and wants to please others as she morphs into a person who goes after what she wants, earns attention and makes no apologies. She still remains true to herself, but discovers her worth along the way. Fangli and Sam are fantastic characters in their support and in the way they nudge Gracie. There’s a bit of an enemies to friends to more, slow burn vibe between Gracie and Sam that was enjoyable to witness.

I suspected there would be a twist and wasn’t surprised to discover it actually take place, but liked how it fit into the the story for Gracie’s circumstances. While it’s a bit of suspended disbelief, it actually suits the plot and characters well and I would’ve preferred a bit more of this aspect. I enjoyed seeing the real vs famous facade of both Sam and Fangli and how Gracie brought out their vulnerable sides without realizing her own persuasive charm. Gracie’s growth is both relatable and endearing as she fumbles with her flaws, but eventually rises to her strengths.

Alright, nice. That's it. That's the shot!

Cut!

Gracie, Sam, Fangli that was amazing! The story turns out great because of you guys. The chemistry between the characters hit nicely and the love encounter turns out well even though it was cliche. Gracie I understand how insecure you are when being together with someone who is 100× higher standard than you are. And the way Sam drops the hint with his clueless actor face is just so confusing to any girl. Like does he really like me or did he just treat me well just because we're friends? It feels like that, isn't it Gracie? But dang sir, Sam is the sweetest partner you can ever have in your life. His bold love gesture and certainty of his love are just what I wish for if I ever fall in love with someone. I do love how they dont force love encounters between these two. Instead they focus on building a better relationship between the characters first and love come afterwards.

The way they address the actors' concern in this story can open people's eyes that actors and idols are just human. They can't be perfect and they have their own flaws. However they can't be open about their weaknesses because it will show they are not compatible enough to be in the showbiz. It does make me think that if any of my favourite idols open up his weakness to his fans will I accept it as he is or as a weak ver of him. Fangli deserves the right treatment. She is not a robot to entertain everyone without feeling exhausted or unbothered.

But overall the story was cute and enjoyable and I like it. Thanks to all the cast for the great work. And so our shot is done for today, lets have a team dinner before we depart. Thank you Stand-In and Lily Chu!

After getting fired by an inappropriate boss and being mistaken for a famous Chinese actress, there’s only one thing for Gracie Reed to do. Pretend to be said actress when she pulls up in an SUV and will give you thousands of dollars to help her. Gracie quickly gets swept up in this glitzy world when Wei Fangli and Sam Yao proposition her with the money she needs to help her mother live a comfortable, safe life.

I was fully expecting this book to be a cheesy, rom-com based on the cover, but the deeper topics pleasantly surprised me! The Stand-In touches on mental health, depression, Alzheimer's, sexual harassment, and more.

This book had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, there was a lack of character development, and the romance fell flat. Gracie grows on you throughout the story, but she is not a memorable character. The story starts off really dry in the beginning and slowly picks up steam. I wish Gracie was given more of a backbone and stuck up for herself, but I can understand dealing with life pressures and sexual harassment in the workplace is a difficult thing.

I will say there is an excellent twist, which saved the story! I wish we explored it more. It felt like a bomb dropped and the story quickly wrapped up and I didn’t feel closure. It would have been nice to really picture the backstory, instead of feeling like it was told quickly.

My largest takeaways from this story are how the public can put famous or well-known people on a pedestal, and it can be detrimental. Famous people are still people, and they deserve privacy and have feelings too. Also, it is extremely important to protect your mental health, and asking for help does not make you weak.

Although, I didn’t love this story; I did like it! It's a sweet story, I just wanted more. Thank you to Net Galley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC!

Gracie Reed's life could be better: She was just fired from a job she desperately needs to afford a good nursing home for her mom, who suffers from Alzheimer's. Also, her former boss isn't just a massive douchebag, he also harrassed her.

In the middle of all this chaos, Chinese superstar Wei Fangli appears together with her rumored boyfriend Sam Yao and offers Gracie a deal. Since the two look very much alike, Fangli wants Gracie to pretend to be her at public events for the next 2 months. Gracie is wary at first, but for the 100.000$ that Fangli offers her as payment, she agrees to the deal.

Sam Yao is supposed to be Gracie's escort, and while he's definitely super hot, he is also pretty rude to Gracie. As you can probably guess, though, Sam and Gracie reach an agreement to be nicer to each other and eventually romance ensues.

I'll be honest, I was a bit sceptical during the first few chapters because the premise is incredibly unrealistic. However, if you see past that, "The Stand-In" is actually a pretty sweet love story.

And not only that: While I enjoyed reading about Gracie and Sam, it was also really interesting to learn more about Fangli. Gracie's relationship to her is very pure and they eventually become friends. I thought it was great, how openly Fangli's depression and exhaustion was dealt with, as well as all of the negative side effects that come with being an A-List movie star.

Gracie's love for her mom was also really sweet to read about. Aside from her mom, the side characters don't really get much depth, though.

Another bonus point for me was that most chapters were started with a different kind of to-do list that Gracie was working her way through during the story. None of those lists really fit for her, so she started developing her own, which I thought was pretty cool!

All in all, this was a cute story to read and if you can look past the improbability of this happening in real-life, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

With the intention of reading some books from other genres than I usually read, I picked up The Stand-in. It is a pleasant book that reads smoothly with nice characters, which made me enjoy it.

The Stand-In has a fairly classic plot for a romcom, as you can read in the synopsis. However, it is nicely worked out, with enough plot twists that you won't see them all coming. That is why it is never boring, and for the last 40 pages it was impossible to put the book down (although maybe a little bit too much is happening in these last few pages). You empathise with the characters, you can almost feel like you're a part of their little group as a reader. It was also nice to see how Gracie, Sam and Fangli all evolve through the story, how they become stronger themselves and gradually dare to let their walls down. The post-its and planners at the beginning of various chapters also added a nice touch that intertwined nicely with the rest of the story.

There was also a deeper message in it, I believe, which made me pause and contemplate. Yes, this is a work of fiction, but imagine if such a switch were to happen in real life. Are we as humans really so superficial that we would not notice it? Do we really treat famous people like objects instead of people with their own lives and personalities? I can only hope that everyone has friends and family around them who would see through this immediately.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an easy reading romcom that will not bore you.

I am leaving this review voluntarily, based upon an advance review copy I received for free (through Netgalley). Nevertheless this hasn’t influenced my review of this book, my opinion is and remains 100% my own.

There’s so much to say about ‘The Stand-In’ by Lily Chu that I hardly know where to start! Gracie is having a bit of a rough time. Recently fired from her job by her inappropriate boss, her mother suffering from Alzheimer’s and her personal going nowhere, she’s approached by Chinese superstar Wu Fangli with an intriguing proposition—pretend to be her for social engagements so Fangli can focus on work. What follows is a beautiful story about belonging and friendship and blossoming love.

I really really loved it. I loved our three main characters, Gracie, Fangli and Sam so much, especially the established friendship of Sam/Fangli and the growing one between Gracie/Fangli. There’s also a bit of a mystery weaved through that was maybe a tiny bit predictable but I really liked it. I cannot recommend this enough and I will be reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook Casablanca for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was SO good! I was hooked right from the start and didn’t want to put it down. I loved the unique story line and the twist in the story. I highly recommend checking it out!

This was an excellent romance, with great characters. And I love the cover! Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who thinks it sounds good!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an early copy in exchange for a review!

This book starts slow and I feel like a lot of things are quite repetitive in the first half of this book, which made me read it a little bit slower. We only really started getting some plot and character development in the second half of the book, but the second half really made me forget about the first part.

Gracie is really a character I can relate to and I liked how we got to see her take and view on the celebrity lifestyle.
Fangli and Sam were also great, but I would have liked to have seen them with a bit more character development towards the end.

Overall, a very enjoyable book!

Gracie Reed is doing just fine...until she isn't. With a mother to take care of and now no job, she is growing pretty desperate. So desperate in fact, that when Chinese cinema's golden couple Wei and Sam offer her a proposition, she can't refuse. Gracie looks a lot like Wei, so all she has to do is be her stand-in, and be seen with Sam - and she will get the money she needs for her mom. But it isn't that simple, of course, and really isn't simple once her heart is on the line.

I appreciated this book so much. The banter, slow burn, fake relationship, enemies-to -lovers trope is one I can always get behind. It is a little repetitive, the main character is a little whiney, but there were so many positives to help make up for the areas that I didn't care for. These are wonderful characters, that had to deal with serious subject matters of sexual harassments in the work place and mental health, but they did so with funny moments, and a sweet and engaging romance.

This ended up being a sweet read. It's a slower paced romance, but there's plenty of drama. I really liked the relationships between Gracie & Fangli and Gracie & Sam - even though Gracie is pretending to be Fangli, the relationships felt very genuine. All three characters end up on a journey of self-discovery, and I liked seeing them grow. However, I felt it dragged a lot, especially with Gracie doubting herself. Overall, this was an entertaining read.

The Stand-In is a delightful rom-com with the wonderfully absurd premise that the main character, Gracie Reed, looks so remarkably similar to Chinese mega-star Wei Fangli that she can impersonate her while Fangli is in Toronto for work.
Some spoilers ahead!
Gracie is out of work, thanks to a truly hateful, harassing boss who ends up firing her for his own nefarious reasons.
This is a catastrophe for anyone, but for Gracie it's an even bigger deal, since she is paying for nursing home care for her mom, who is in the early stages of dementia. Gracie's goal is to get her mom into a high caliber Chinese focused nursing home in Toronto, but the waiting list is long and the price is high.
Fangli has her own reasons for wanting a body double to take over part of her busy load of appearances. She finds Gracie, after a photographer mistakes Gracie for Fangl, and offers her the job.
Gracie is understandably reluctant but her financial insecurity helps make the decision for her, as does her inner drive to prove something to herself.
Impersonating Fangli is.a challenge but the bigger challenge is Fangli's heartthrob costar Sam Yao–who not only thinks this whole impersonation idea is ridiculous but also has little to no confidence that Gracie can pull it off.
The book follows Gracie's bumpy transformation into Fangli's double, her efforts to take care of her progressively less lucid mom, and her burgeoning relationship with Sam.
It all comes to a head when the rumor surfaces that Fangli has a double and Gracie has to make some difficult decisions.
The whole premise may seem far-fetched but the actual story progressed in such a wholesome and personal way. There are some humorous and tropey moments but overall the book really addressed its core issues in a warm, approachable, and ultimately sensitive way.
The book engaged me from the first few pages and I was invested in the outcome. The characters have depth and personality. The book touches on so many issues: identity, harassment, mental health, overt and covert racism, micro aggressions, privacy, self-confidence, family, the cult of celebrity and the hidden costs that accrue with fame of epic proportions.
Each of the main characters had an arc and character development as the book progressed. I loved the progressive relationship between Gracie and Sam, but I was very happy to see so much of Gracie and Fangli's developing friendship as well. And to see the importance Gracie and Fangli placed on that relationship.
Gracie got a taste for the rarefied life of a mega star and gave Sam and Fangli the opportunity to enjoy the simpler things in life for a bit.
Gracie also regained some of her self confidence and learned much about herself, as well as her family. The third act drew together threads that had been woven through the book. I was expecting something like that for the big reveal but my expectation didn't much dampen my enjoyment overall.
My only quibbles with the book would be that I feel Gracie behaved a bit poorly to Sam in a scene with her mom (necessary to make a point/reveal in the story but still uncomfortable to read and not fully resolved in their later conversation in my mind), and the arc of how Gracie's impersonation was leaked.
The writing was detailed and cinematic at times: I could picture the scenes. I think this would make a great film, to be honest. It's a lovely rom com but doesn't shy away from delving into the more serious issues of mental health, family responsibility, aging parent dynamics, toxic work environments, and loss of self-confidence. Those issues frame the love story but it's done quite well.
It was satisfying and engaging.
I'll be looking for more books by this author!
four and a half stars

The Stand-In is basically Lizzie McGuire meets The Parent Trap, with a little sprinkle of Crazy Rich Asians. If you love these three movies (just like me) then this is the book for you!

The Stand-In was a cute, funny and quirky read that had me from the very first chapter.

The writing was fantastic. Easy to understand but still very descriptive and with a few bits of Mandarin being included here and there, making the experience even more authentic. Yes, some of the events were cheesy and predictable, and yes there was the good old miscommunication trope. But that actually didn't bother me that much. It reminded me of the Kdramas I watch and love.

I loved the fact that this book tackled some themes such as struggling with your identity, racism, mental health and the reality of seeing celebrities more as public property instead of normal human beings. The character growth wa amazing and both the family dynamics and romantic relationships were perfectly depicted.

Of course, Gracie and Sam's friendship (and later romance) was my favorite part. It was wholesome and beautiful at the same time. The flourishing friendship between Gracie and Fangli was equally adorable.

I can't wait to read Lily Chu's next work and I'm definitely getting my hands on a copy of The Stand-In as soon as the book is out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Enjoyed this one that read to me like a Prince and the Pauper retelling.. With a movie star and and a normal girl. It was a fast read as well as being full of humor. It would make an awesome rom com.

Obsessed! Iconic! MORE MORE MORE!

I devoured this book in one sitting, becoming obsessed with the life and the picture of elegance and rich fantasy that Lily Chu so wonderfully illustrated. Gracie was the eyes of everyone as she entered the world of the rich and famous and took on her new role as stand in Wei, but the CHEMISTRY (good and the bad) between her and sam was *chef's kiss*. A beautiful, funny, timeless story, of a princess and the pauper re-telling that had me hooked from start to finish. BRAVO LILY CHU!

After listening to this on Audible, I knew I had to read it. The Stand-In was just as enjoyable to read as it was to listen. This was such a fun and sweet story! Definitely one of my favorites so far this year!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc for my honest feedback.
The Stand-In just look at this lovely cover and the premise sounded so good. A famous actress has a proposition: due to their uncanny resemblance, Fangli wants Gracie to be her stand-in. Added bones that the super hot actor Sam Yao will be her escort. This story was unexpected and tackled serious issues like depression, sexual harassment, self esteem & worth. All important topics that need a voice. However I was expecting a lighthearted rom-com and got a much more serious and depressing story. I think my expectations for this book skewed my enjoyment of it. I didn't love it for those reasons. However it was still a 3 star read and had I gone into it with different expectations I would have enjoyed it much more.

I wanted to read this book because the pretty cover and loved the premise. It started and jumped into the plot FAST. I enjoyed the character development and the main characters interactions with one another. The boss is a JERK and the way that ended, let me down. The ending to the book itself was great! I fell in love with Gracie and Sam. Loved the deep story underlining with depression and wanting to just live your life to the fullest. Was a beautifully written story. Look forward to reading more books by Lily Chu!

I received this book (in book format) to review from the publishers and NetGalley. All comments above are solely my true opinion after reading this book.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a contemporary romance that involved a celebrity look alike filling in. This wasn't a stand out to me but it was a cute quick read. Love the genetic twist at the end.

Gracie Reed is down in her luck. Her boss sexually harasses her and she ends up getting fired for skipping work while consulting a lawyer to handle the issue. She also has her mother who has dementia and lives in a private nursing home. Gracie needs the money to transfer her mother to a better home. So when superstar Fangli asks her to be a stand-in because they look so alike, Gracie is compelled to agree. The only thing is it isn’t so easy and Gracie has to learn how to be Fangli. It doesn’t help that Fangli’s costar Sam is opposes to the plan.

The premise of this book was what drew me in and although I liked the set up, i felt the execution fell flat. The plot didn’t offer much excitement and there was no chemistry between Sam and Gracie. Other people may like this book though but ultimately it wasn’t for me.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reading copy.