Title-The Stand-In
Author-Lily Chu
Year of Publication-2021
Summary-Gracie is in a pinch. She’s lost her job after her creepy boss caught her out and about during a supposed sick day and during that same day she was mistaken for Chinese superstar Wei Fangli and photographed by the paparazzi. And Gracie needs a job to pay for her mom’s private room in an assisted care home while waiting for a spot in a Chinese oriented home. But thanks to her matching face with Wei Fangli Gracie is about to get the opportunity of a life time. Because her lookalike is in town for 2 months and is exhausted from work and public appearances and has decided to hire Gracie to be her double. The only one not excited is Sam who’s been friends with Fangli for years and doesn’t think Gracie is up to the job. With $150,000 on the line which is more than enough to take care of her mom Gracie takes the job. But as Gracie perfects her Fangli act she discovers not only does she have a possible game changing planning app in development she’s falling in love with Sam which is defendant no-no. And every time Gracie visits her mom who is sinking more and more into Alzheimer’s she starts to hear about her past in China. Gracie’s Cinderella story is about to take a turn, but to get her happy ending she will need to stop being people pleaser Gracie and do what makes her happy.
Pros-I had some Prince and the Pauper vibes. Including Gracie’s development of her app Eppy. Gracie did have instant attraction towards Sam, but there was no instalove. There’s some pretty strong hints about the real relationship between Gracie and Fangli.
Cons-Content Warning: workplace sexual harassment and racism. The tired old trope of THE BIG MISUNDERSTANDING. I don’t understand in the beginning why Gracie didn’t try very hard with being Fangli since she needed the money.
Overall Rating-4.5/5
