Such a good book! If your in for some swoon worthy romance the this book is prefect for you. I love the plot and characters & the story was not dragging at all. Love it!

When Gracie gets mistaken for a famous actress, she is offered the opportunity to impersonate the other woman in exchange for the cash that she desperately needs.

This story was sweet and I really loved the characters - Sam and Fangli and their friendship in particular! The book is a little bit too long - at times it started to drag somewhat. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Source of book: NetGalley (thank you)
Relevant disclaimers: I share publisher and an editor with this author; we’ve had no personal contact
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.

I wouldn’t have heard of this book except for an extraordinarily bad take: so, y’know, make of that what you will. If you ask me, there are few powers stronger than the need to disagree with someone.

Anyway, The Stand-In is a surprisingly sincere and grounded book, despite its self-consciously absurd premise. But I guess, for me, that’s the appeal of a really good romcom: you start with a daft idea or a particular trope, but then you treat your characters and their lives seriously. In this case the daft idea is that the heroine, Gracie Reed, just so happens (for the record this is explained later) to look notably similar to the famous Chinese actress, Wei Fangli. After losing her job due to shenanigans from her sexually harassing boss (a job she felt she couldn’t leave because she’s paying for her mother’s medical care), Gracie is offered a frankly bizarre opportunity from Fangli: Fangli is in Canada, performing in a play, and her management team want her to be seen “out and about” with her usual escort, the gorgeous and equally famous Sam Yao. Fangli is tired though and wants to rest, so she offers to pay Gracie a hundred and fifty thousand dollars to pretend her to be in public while she’s rehearsing for the play. It’s clearly a bananas idea but Gracie has felt trapped in her life for a long time—and the money would big help—so she agrees.

What follows is … remarkably unbananas. Yes, there’s some romcom-style zaniness here, including some towel-dropping and Spanx-related incidents, but mostly this is a book about people: about how see ourselves, versus how the world sees us, and the complexities of navigating the difference. As a theme it’s incredibly deftly explored, whether it’s the heroine’s multiracial identity, the reality of lives in the public eye for Sam and Fangli, Gracie’s mother history, the details of which she’s gradually losing to Alzheimer’s, the distorted mirror offered by depression and anxiety, or the way we can lose ourselves in abusive situations. There is no getting away from the fact the heroine starts the book in a bad place—an entirely understandable bad place by the way—lonely, concerned for her mother, still grieving her father, her confidence eroded by a toxic work environment she feels unable to escape. For the record, and because I feel it’s important to say this explicitly, I never felt Gracie was weak or passive: I felt she’d been forced by circumstances into situations that made her feel that way. Those are very different things. And watching her learn to see herself with clarity again—to find her confidence and her independence again—while it’s a slow and slightly painful journey, rather than a big dramatic moment of triumph, was, to me, incredibly satisfying.

It sounds a strange thing to say about something that has the premise of “wouldn’t it be cool if you got to pretend to be a movie star and hang out with an incredibly sexy man, desired by millions” it’s actually a very … quiet book. And I mean that in an entirely positive way. It’s a book that understands the value of ordinary things as much as it seems to celebrate extravagant ones. And while, I admit, there’s sort of something very “have your cake and eat it” about having people with access to extraordinarily privileged lifestyles secretly hanker after emotional connection, ferry rides, and bubble-gum, it’s done in an incredibly sincere and charming way. I think, overall, the book does a good job of handling the complexities of its own premise, balancing the advantages of wealth and fame that Sam and Fangli experience against the very real sacrifices (especially in terms of privacy) they’ve made for their careers.

I also loved that, while Gracie’s developing romantic relationship with Sam (obviously she was getting with the absurdly sexy film star, obviously) was a significant element of the book, it was no more significant than her developing (non-romantic, I hasten to add) relationship with Fangli. I didn’t measure it with a teaspoon but my sense was that the book gives equal weight, and almost equal page count, to both relationships: when things go wrong, as they inevitably do, Gracie actually gives priority to repairing things with Fangli. I think what’s extra notable about this—above and beyond the fact that it’s rare to find a romance that is willing to make such space for other relationships—is that I personally didn’t find that it diminished the romance at all. I looked forward to the scenes between Sam and Gracie, because they have great chemistry and their relationship (once they get past their initial mistrust of each other) is genuinely lovely, but I also looked forward to the scenes with Gracie and Fangli because they both so clearly needed a friend, and this relationship, too, is genuinely lovely. I know I said above that The Stand-In is a quiet book, in terms of its storytelling, and its focus on small change over grand gestures, but it’s choices like these that make it a bold book too.

There’s also some fairly heavy subject matter in here, in terms of mental health, workplace harassment, toxic family dynamics, and the fact Gracie’s mum has Alzheimer’s. I can, of course, only talk about my own reactions but, for me, I really appreciated how the book handled these subjects. Gracie is essentially living with anxiety and depression: she’s on medication, she’s had therapy, her internal thoughts reveal her tendencies towards catastrophising and anxiety spirals, and she mentions having previously experienced episodes of depression, but because she’s sought help she’s self-aware about her own behaviour. I really enjoyed spending time with a heroine for whom struggles with mental health are a fact of life rather than a crisis she’s in the middle of: I like that it was a natural part of the book, but not—for Gracie—the point of the book. Similarly, I found the sections with Gracie’s mother very poignant. But, while they’re sad, for sure, they’re not … presented as irredeemably and unremittingly tragic.

I think because we’re all terrified of dementia (as well we might be, and I’m definitely not trying to claim it’s anything other than a bad thing), there’s a tendency to treat such conditions as the end of life, rather than part of life. Obviously caring for her mother takes an emotional and financial toll on Gracie (the problem with her current care facility is simply that it is competent and utilitarian, and Gracie would simply like her to be somewhere nicer) but we are allowed to see her mother having good days, as well as bad days, and it’s clear the relationship continues to have value for everyone involved in it. The situation is hard, yes, because it would be, but it's not presented as an impossible sacrifice that is consuming or ruining Gracie’s life. Again, I felt this was an unusually balanced perspective on something that is often presented in a highly unnuanced way.

And now I’ve probably made the book sound like it’s about a lot of grim stuff. It’s not at all. While it’s not necessarily the com-iest of romcoms (Spanx and towel-dropping aside) I will say that the heroine’s wry, down-to-earth, endlessly engaging voice guides the reader gently through the heavier sections. Gracie is, honesty, a pleasure to spend time with. Her narration made me laugh out loud several times. On top of which, there’s a subplot about her developing her own planner system which … as someone obsessed with planners and planning … I found really well observed and highly relatable. Especially the way every single one of her to-do lists in the early section of the book includes a failed attempt to do laundry. I feel so seen it’s practically an attack.

My main niggle revolves around the crisis point of the book: the possibility of a newstation getting hold of information about Gracie and Fangli’s identity-swap. The person ultimately responsible for this does it because they’re jealous of Gracie’s closeness with Sam and … ehhh. I’m not sure the world really needs any more “a jealous womanz did it” plot points? Or perhaps it would have landed better if the character had been better developed all round, I don’t know. I also got a teeny bit weary of the amount of times Fangli and Sam tell Gracie they’re just friends. I think they must say it about … like … I mean, it felt like ten times each by the end of the book. And while I do understand we’re not fully rational creatures, especially where love is concerned, and especially in the context of two gorgeous, talented film stars, but like … just believe them girl, come on. I did wonder, though, if this was a bit of a straight thing. Like, if I was uncomfortable with every close, long-standing relationship my partner has with a dude … well … I’d be crawling up the walls every Wednesday when six or seven of them come round to lock themselves in a dark room together and breathe heavily while pretending to be elves. I mean, in a rolling dice way. Not as a … like … a sex thing. At least, I don’t think it’s a sex thing. Oh my God.

And, finally, there’s an emotionally significant scene where Gracie’s mum thinks Sam is her long-lost brother and Gracie essentially forces Sam to pretend he his. This is partially about comforting her mum, who is distressed, but it’s also about making Sam do something for her that he doesn’t want to do to prove her cares at least as he cares about Fangli. It’s a really taut, beautifully written scene, with lots of complicated emotional dynamics in play. And I don’t mean to overly celebrate a heroine behaving badly but it felt like a realistically insecure reaction to a messed-up situation, and I appreciated that it felt like such a mean little piece of relatable human ugliness, rather than any sort of grand or glamorous betrayal. Because I think there’s a degree to which, in fiction at least, we are more comfortable portraying and forgiving dramatic acts of cruelty over small acts of selfishness. As I said: this is a book that makes bold choices. Unfortunately—while I didn’t need Gracie to do a full on grovel—the plot sweeps on and she never really gets an opportunity to properly apologise. And it felt important to me that she did, because while it WAS a minor act of being a bad person, it was also one that struck against Sam in some vulnerable places.

But anyway: this book is a rare pleasure. It’s one of the most usual romcoms—sweet, but complex, subtle but daring, and admirably in control of its themes and its storytelling—I’ve read for a while. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in the subgenre, or who never quite manages to cross laundry off their to-do list, to pick it up.

4.5 stars!

This is a rom-com that packs an emotional punch! There is so much to unpack. First of all kudos to Lily Chu for how she handled sensitive issues like workplace harassment, mental health, and healthy boundaries, and so many others. All of it was done with finesse and the seriousness they deserved.

Secondly, I absolutely loved Gracie. We come from similar cultures in regards to cultures and expectations and I could relate to her struggles on a cellular level. It was so easy to fall for her, as much as it was for her to fall for Sam, the World's Sexiest Man. Their love story was so sweet and their interactions eventful. Their start was definitely rough, but I loved how Gracie didn't allow Sam to treat her badly. And the way he looked out for her and clued into her emotional state by her body language just made me melt. I only wish the consummation of their attraction to one another had been on the page, but that's my personal preference.

Lastly, there are so many important themes discussed in the book, family, friendship, and our relationships to work, our time, belonging, etc. While The Stand-In feels complete, I would love more of Sam and Gracie, and especially more of Wel Fangli, whether there's a novella or a full novel, or both. I'm not ready to leave the world Lily Chu has created. I really do hope Lily writes more romances, because The Stand-In is an exceptional story and we need more of them.

*4.5 stars rounded up
I really did adore this book. It’s not often that I can say that there was nothing in a book that I didn’t like, and while I don’t think this one was perfect, it was amazing.
First as always, characters! Gracie is such an amazing main character. She’s driven, but also relatable. If she had just collapsed after losing her job, she wouldn’t have been quite as good of an MC, but she not only found a very different job, she started working really hard at a passion of hers. The other characters are also so amazing and have so much depth. I absolutely loved Fangli and Sam. They were so different from Gracie, but they also had valuable points of view.
Interpersonal relationships are next! Because this book takes place in Canada and two of the main characters are from China, it’s really interesting to see how their culture affects their relationship. There are really important friendships in this book as always, but it also explores tough relationships with family, the obvious romantic relationship, and how mental health can affect these, too. The relationships between Sam and Fangli and Gracie and Fangli were my favorites, but the romance had me on the edge of my seat.
Lastly, plot! Although the plot didn’t stand out as much as the characters and relationships, it was pretty amazing. Everyone’s actions were usually insanely valid, and only a little bit predictable. I don’t really have much to say about this aspect in particular, but I loved it just the same.
I’d absolutely recommend this book to people who want to read fun romance/fiction books that touch on really important topics like sexual assault, mental health, familial relationships, and more. There wasn’t a single moment that I didn’t like this book or its characters.

What happens when you are just fired from a job with a boss who was sexually harassing you only to then be mistaken for a famous Chinese actress... who offers you the money you need to pay for your mom’s nursing home in exchange that you pretend to be her for two months while she takes a mental break to recoup? Gracie Reed is about to find out. Grace was just fired from her job and mistaken for a famous actress and the next thing she knows she is being offered a job, to play Wei Fangli in the public for two months and attend events with her escort, the equally famous and attractive actor Sam who has immediately taken a dislike to Gracie. But Gracie is strapped for cash and she wants to take care of her mom, seeing no other way out and needing time to find another job she agrees. Soon Gracie is dropped into a world of luxury, fame, and the pressures it holds, as well as learning how to work with a man who is as rude and infuriating as he is beautiful. However the more time Gracie and Sam spend together and get to know each other the more feelings start to grow. Gracie has to ask herself, is this real or is it all an act? Is he in love with her or with who she is pretending to be? Then there comes the family secrets and trying to deal with mental health and the finding who she is and what she wants. This story kind of felt like a hallmark movie, it was enjoyable and fun to read. Gracie was dealing with a lot of self doubt and anxiety, and Sam starts off pretty unlikable but redeems himself in the end. The character that I enjoyed the most was Fangli and I wish we got more time with her and Gracie. Overall a cute and fast read!

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was such a fun and touching read - Gracie is struggling to take care of her mother with Alzheimer's, as well as dealing with the fallout of sexual harassments at work and trying to launch her fledgling planner business. Her relationships with Fangli and Sam are both tender and warm, and it's wonderful to watch Gracie settle into the long-term friendships she's been craving.

Gracie has depression and anxiety, and it's revealed that Fangli likely does as well. In a way that's probably familiar to people with either/both of those diagnoses, she feels really stuck at points and is also unable to really verbalize how terrible her boss's behavior was until she has a lot of distance (much like Tiffy and her past relationship in The Flatshare). I think the book has been dinged unfairly for that.

Why I'm not giving it a full five stars is because I am perhaps too much of a moral relativist for this to totally work for me - Gracie has a real existential crisis over when it's "okay" to pretend to be Fangli and when it's not. I don't really see the ethical dilemma there: the important parties have consented to the sham. I found this a little tedious.

This was a really fun read, and I'm hoping that Fangli gets her own story! She sure deserves it.

My wish was granted, which allowed me to read and review “The Stand-In” by Lily Chu. Ironically, I have been told (ha, ha) that I resemble (insert famous actress), so this novel’s premise intrigued me.

Gracie is trying to do her best, but when her pervert of a boss fires her and she is struggling to find a way to get her mom, who has progressing dementia, into the proper place that she needs, it’s not always easy to see the bright side of things. But then she is mistaken for a well-known actress (Wei Fangli) who just coincidentally needs to take a mental health break and offers to pay Gracie a lot of money to be in her stand-in. So yeah, if you need money, why not consider this proposition? Naturally, not only does Gracie get to glam it up, but she has to appease hunky actor, Sam, who happens to also be an arrogant asshat and thinks Wei and Gracie’s plan is a bad one. (Until Gracie and the reader find out he’s actually a good guy).

If this reminds you of something you have seen on Hallmark, you probably have. You also have to be willing to suspend plausibility (like how could an “ordinary” woman look exactly like a well-known actress). Because of the plot is so formulaic, you go into this type of novel hoping the characters will add their unique spin. While I greatly enjoyed the book, I wish the main characters were more fleshed out—especially Gracie whose mind we spend the most time in. I also wish the novel spent more time with its heavier topics such as racism and mental illness, but then, this is not that type of story. But if you go into this novel knowing it’s more dessert than dinner, you won’t be disappointed.

My thanks to Lily Chu, NetGalley and the publisher for granting my wish so that I could read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book!

I thought I knew what to expect with this book - I've read a lot in this genre - but I was genuinely and positively surprised by this book. Far from it being a simple life swap story, it addressed issues such as mental health, societal pressures, sexism and racism (albeit in a gentle way). I also liked that this was a story focussed on ethnic groups who are often under-represented in this genre. I cared about the characters and their lives and whilst there was a ring of inevitability about it at times, it didn't diminish from the experience and I enjoyed reading it. If you enjoy books in this genre, I would most definitely recommend it and would class it as a welcome variation on the usual theme.

The Stand-In follows Gracie as she's recruited by the most famous actress in China, Wei Fangli, to be her stand-in because she just needs a break and looks a lot like Fangli. Gracie is swept up in the celebrity world escorted by Sam Yao, Fangi's longtime friend and costar.

First of all, I love this beautiful cover! Secondly, this was a really cute story. It reminded me of a movie, and I could visualize scenes super vividly. Some really leapt off the page. I think this is a hard thing to accomplish in a book. The story is really well-written. The first half is wildly interesting and has great momentum. The second half a lot of the urgency is lost, and the story seems to slow. I think Gracie is a great character, so real and funny. I liked her a lot. There's also a hint of enemies to lovers in this story. I also enjoyed the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publishers for this ARC.

This was so cute!
An easy breezy a celebrity duplicate story, which develops into a romance. It is a hate to love story and the chemistry between the lead couple is sizzling. Though there are no explicit scenes, you can feel the tension.
I was a little worried when it moved into a more family backstory track, because I think it was not given much time to develop. Is there going to be a book 2 to address these issues and will Fangli get her own romance? I’ll be all up for it!

I'd like to thank Netgalley for an ARC of this book, due out in print later this year. The views expressed are completely my own.

I think that this book does hold some charm to it. The characters are sweet and show growth over the course of the book, and the stakes are pretty low, so I never felt particularly fussed about the stressors they were experiencing. I also appreciate that the book treated mental health issues such as depression and anxiety as normal, and encouraged taking care of yourself. Therapy wasn't viewed as a weakness, but as an asset, another tool that someone could use to help themselves when they needed it.

I think the reveal that our two main female leads were sisters was particularly sweet. It was probably my favorite part of the book.

The romance aspect itself kind of dragged for me. I felt like the pacing of the novel, particularly around the middle, was slow, and I lost my investment in Gracie and Sam's relationship. I wanted more foibles with Gracie impersonating Wei Fangli, more moments in which that was described.

I do think it's worth a read (or listen), if you'd like a good piece of fluff with good character growth and a satisfying, safe ending.