Review: The Stand-In

 

I'll most probably forget about everything I actually want to say here before I have a chance to do so. Man I've been in such a bad mental space for so long it's tough to remember stuff. But I promise, once I've got my tbr under control, I'll be returning to blogging again.

Gracie Reed is doing just fine. Sure, she was fired by her overly "friendly" boss, and yes she still hasn't gotten her mother into the nursing home of their dreams, but she's healthy, she's (somewhat) happy, and she's (mostly) holding it all together.

But when a mysterious SUV pulls up beside her, revealing Chinese cinema's golden couple Wei Fangli and Sam Yao, Gracie's world is turned on its head. The famous actress has a proposition: due to their uncanny resemblance, Fangli wants Gracie to be her stand-in. The catch? Gracie will have to be escorted by Sam, the most attractive—and infuriating—man Gracie's ever met.

If it means getting the money she needs for her mother, Gracie's in. Soon Gracie moves into a world of luxury she never knew existed. But resisting Sam, and playing the role of an elegant movie star, proves more difficult than she ever imagined—especially when she learns the real reason Fangli so desperately needs her help. In the end all the lists in the world won't be able to help Gracie keep up this elaborate ruse without losing herself...and her heart.

QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 3.9/5, LOVELY STORY, REMINDS ME OF THAT PHINEAS AND FERB EPISODE WHERE CANDANCE WAS A STAND IN FOR A PRINCESS.

Possible Trigger Tags:

1. Mentions of depression and anxiety

WHAT DID I FEEL ABOUT THE  BOOK'S: 

1. Writing Quality: The story is pretty interesting and goes in the way of first POV, which is one of my favourite ways of narrating a story even though I cannot write it for the life of me without making it sound cringe. The first chapter is pretty uneventful, which is uncommon for a book considering they advise to write about all the inciting events in the first chapter instead. But it does give an insight into the mind of Gracie Reed and how she's going about in her daily life. Another unusual thing but a nice thing considering a lot of books don't actually  give us an insight into the thought process of the main character. First person narration is best done when you can see and feel what the character goes through.

2. Character Development: Gracie and Sam have this combustible love hate relationship that makes me go "just fuck already". For a good half of the book I wanted to angry slam Sam against the wall because he was being such a jerk. A handsome jerk at that. He kind of reminds me of the entitled rich folks who just think they can look down on anyone and get their way all the damn time even though he does show a bit of remorse in the end. My girl Gracie deserves nothing less than the best, you hear me? Because I've literally seen her break down once in the midst of all of the things that are happening to her. If I was in her place I would have broken down every single night crying myself to sleep. Gracie is strong and she is not willing to take shit from anyone even if that anyone includes the sexiest man alive. Fangli is adorable but I hate her for putting Gracie through the tough situation. And Anjali, the feral little gremlin, everyone needs a friend like her.

3. Couldn't put it down- Ness: 7/10. The book's good but the beginning is a bit slow.

4. Plot Twists: There aren't any plot twists save for one, but the one that is there is the most shocking. Like I thought Fangli and Gracie could have been just fluke lookalikes like the one we have out there or like that one episode with Candance and her lookalike. Them being half sisters and still looking strikingly similar does kind of make sense you know. At least to me it does. Like my younger cousin, my aunt and I would pass as a triplet, we look so dang alike. I'd send a picture here but then again, privacy issues. Plus I don't want y'all to see my ugly af face.

5. Plot: For a plot driven story, the story doesn't expanse much of a plot. Like, I understand that the story is based on Gracie fitting in as Fangli, I would have liked to see some Fangli X Sam moments, just to show the heteronormative friendship that exists between the two of them. Or Fangli's session at the therapist. That would have given a new dimension to the story and given it an even deeper meaning. Just two events couldn't have defined Gracie's standing in as a proxy to Fangli, it kind of doesn't add up mentally. There could have been more of the events where they're going to, or show the actual practice like that scene in "Om Shanti Om" where they were training Sandy to act like Shantipriya. Lawd that was a good movie, I miss SRK movies so damn much.

SRK just makes my heart go doki-doki to be honest. No wonder they call him the "Shah of Bollywood".

OVERALL, A NICE READ, y'all might wanna give this book a chance.

Also I added a cute little catto pic because it makes me happy.