A cute love-story with surprising twists. I love stories which have a masquerade - it never works out and it’s always exciting to read! Gracie is a cool character, I liked her attitude and that she’s not Ms perfect with a lot of friends, she’s like a normal girl from the neighbourhood. Mental health is a big topic in this novel and the way it was handled was authentic and good. Sam is a bit too perfect for my taste, but he matches good into the story. The story itself had some lengths, in the middle part it could have been a bit shortened. Besides that it’s very fun to read, and cute to see the development of Gracie’s feelings. The end was so super cute!

BOOK REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Stand In by Lily Chu

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. (Overview taken from Amazon.com)

First of all this book has such a unique and creative idea as the basis for the romance. Often times romance novels have very similar foundations but the “stand in” concept of this book was fresh and new. Lily Chu’s writing was able to perfectly describe the uneasy feelings Gracie was feeling to a point where I also felt uneasy myself. There was a slight plot twist towards the end regarding Gracie’s mother that I was not expecting whatsoever and made the story that much more interesting.

The only thing I would have changed about this novel would be adding more spicy scenes instead of the PG ones that were written but that may not be the writers style so I get that.

I could definitely see this book becoming a movie 🎥

The Stand-In was absolutely charming and such a cozy read! Lily Chu wrote a story that was so well written I found myself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down, pondering what would happen next. My favorite piece of this entire story was how believable the characters were.

The writing is clear and clean, and very immersive. The book hums along at a good clip, but the pacing makes sure we're given time to breathe between plot-intensifying moments. The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story.

This was so cute and fun. It was giving “The Princess Switch” from Netflix only better. I would love to see this turned into a movie or limited series!

This was a fun, light hearted read. A wonderfully entertaining and deliciously heartwarming romance between a woman plucked from the streets to be a ‘stand-in’ for a famous actress, and the Hollywood heartthrob who reluctantly guides her along the way. It’s smart, witty and fully of heart, and I adored every moment of it!


There are multiple storylines running throughout the book, and they all blend together perfectly to create a clever, fun, dramatic, funny and heartfelt story that I couldn’t get enough of. There are twists and turns that kept me on my toes, I laughed out loud so many times, and I loved watching Gracie navigate her new world, new relationships, and all of the subsequent changes in her life.

An engaging read filled with likeable characters, fascinating scenarios, and several unexpected twists, imbued with Chinese culture.

I enjoyed 'The Stand-In', my first book by this author, and sympathised with Gracie and her challenges. I really did feel for her as she struggled with her identity, finances, bullies, expectations and the important things in her life.

The dynamic between Gracie and Fangli was so... natural. Nothing forced despite some of the more difficult chats they had. And the slow-moving relationship between Gracie and Sam was perfect.

I picked up on one of the 'reveals' early on, but missed one of the biggies, heh, so it was nice being surprised!

Note to readers: there are several f-bombs sprinkled through out. Intimacy scenes are closed-door.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca to providing this ARC to me.

I have so much fun while reading this book!!

We will meet Gracie who mistakenly photographed as Wei Fangli, Chinese Mega Celebrity. This accident lead her fires by her company because they know that Gracie lying to be sick while she seen in a café. Despite the loss of the job, Gracie found a new job with a much higher payout in which she had to double for Wei Fangli. Needing money for her mother's treatment, Gracie is forced to take this step even though she has to face Sam Yao who hates her from the start.

What caught my attention to read this book was the concept, where Gracie could be so similar to Fangli and had to be her replacement during formal events other than acting. But after reading this, I fell in love more with the characters in this book.

We will be presented with the struggle of Gracie who has to re-learn to become a Fangli because apart from her similar face, they have nothing in common. In addition, this Gracie character is also described as having a project that she must complete, seeing Gracie's struggles apart from being a double Fangli but also trying hard to complete this project made me fall in love with Gracie's character even more. But nothing is perfect from a character, there are also many times where Gracie has high insecurity, making her a real character.

Then here we will also meet another character, namely Sam, who will have a lot of debate at first with Gracie. But, seeing Sam who gradually opened up and became close to Gracie made their relationship even more exciting to follow. The closeness of the two, how they can share with each other, the dynamics that occur between them make their relationship interesting.

And of course there is Fangli, I really like seeing the friendship that exists between Fangli and Gracie. I thought at the beginning that Fangli wasn't the type of actress who was friendly, it turned out to be wrong, she was very kind and it wouldn't be difficult to fall in love with this Fangli figure.

Another interesting thing is that there is an element of surprise in this book, which I didn't expect and this is really a really good addition to the storyline. The ending is also very satisfying!

Gracie is stuck with a horrible job and a pervy boss. She needs this job to try to afford a better care facility for her mother. On an off day she gets mistaken for a Chinese movie star then gets caught but her boss who sees the paparazzi picture. Ugh why are there always pervy guys trying to quid pro quo you into an arrangement. Well nope I guess I'm unemployed.
Luckily for Gracie right before that happened Wei Fangli the movie star that could be her doppleganger asked her if she wanted to help her by pretending to be her for some events and she would get paid for it.

I love the Prince and the Pauper type stories and the connection at the end wasn't what I was expecting and was very emotional.
I loved the chemistry between Sam and Gracie, they had a enemies to lovers quarrel energy happening
The friendship between Sam and Fangli was so caring and we all need a person to help us through tough times!
I felt so bad for Gracie and her mother who was suffering from Alzheimer's which is a horrible disease. There are good days and bad days and I would think if you have unfinished business or things in the past that come back it can be very agitating and confusing.
Totally recommend this cute romance! And I love this cover!!

I wanted to read this book because the pretty cover and loved the premise, and as a Canadian, I'm a sucker for a book set in Canada. 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! 4.5 stars rounded down.

This was such a cute read! I really enjoyed this book, and can’t wait to read more of the author! Loved it.

“Crazy Rich Asians” meets “The Parent Trap” and “Princess Diaries” - what a fun, colorful, witty YA read!

This was a fun read. I enjoy this kind of storyline and I think the author executed it nicely. I also love that the story had some depth to it. A parent with dementia is a part of a lot of people's lives and it's good for people to know they're not alone.

This was different than I thought it would be, in that it was heavier than I expected. But I wasn't upset about it. I found Gracie to be relatable and enjoyed watching her find herself. Her honesty and vulnerability were encouraging. The side romance was well-done and exactly what I'd expect from a women's fiction book.

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

CW: parent with dementia, depression, sexual harassment, anxiety

3.5 stars

This deceptively sweet story hit me right in the feels.

Initially an Audible Original audiobook, I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of The Stand-In ahead of its publication in May. I've read some rave reviews of the audiobook and Phillipa Soo's talents as a narrator. Though I haven't listened to it, I can definitely attest to the enjoyability of this story in print.

The Stand-In reads like a rom-com that would already exist if we lived in a world with better representation. The characters are relatable, the plot is engaging, and I found it extremely difficult to put down. The will-they-won't-they tension between Gracie and Sam is surprisingly fun, and I loved how Gracie and Fangli's relationship developed. Despite the cookie-cutter chick flick feel to most of the story, there's a surprising complexity that lingers long after the last page.

3.5 stars

Such a nice read. The reading was a pretty good reading pace and throughout the book you get to know the main characters pretty well. I love the representation and diversity the author provided. The romance was super sweet and I loved the concept of the book.
Definitely there were some aspects that were not okay for me but overall a fast, cute, funny at times and easy read about life with romance.


Thanks NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

The Stand-In by Lily Chu is a fantastic book about mental illness, fame, family, and love. I haven't read many books where characters trade places especially a celebrity. This was a fun read! Its always interesting to read about people who live rich and famous lives but its nice to get depth as well. Overall and good read and would recommend for something lighter in the rom-com field.

This book is fun and enjoyable with wonderful representations, relatable characters and an engaging plot. There was a bit of a predictability to the story, but the book would be a perfect beach read.

By the way, the cover is absolutely beautiful. I definitely will be looking forward to reading more books by Lily Chu.

I want to thank NetGalley, Lily Chu and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

This book was very cute; exactly the fluffy story promised by the cover and copy. A quick read that delivers the escapist good time promised and no more or less than that.

Loved this book, it was everything I was excepting! The writing is good just like the story itself and I would for sure recomend it to a friend.

This was such a great read by Lily Chu. Gracie just couldn't catch a break with her boss, and I really felt sad with the situation she was in with her mother. Yes, this was a great rom-com, but I felt by the end of the story Gracie came into her own. The things she experienced portraying Wei Fangli, and building the relationship with Sam really blossomed her in a way. Lily Chu wrote a wonderful storyline, and made these characters really shine.