Why Can't I Be You
By Allie Larkin
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Source: Publisher
Summary: At one time or another, everyone has wished she could be someone else. Exploring this universal longing, Allie Larkin follows up the success of her debut novel, Stay, with a moving portrait of friendship and identity. When Jenny Shaw hears someone shout “Jessie!” across a hotel lobby, she impulsively answers. All her life, Jenny has toed the line, but something propels her to seize the opportunity to become Jessie Morgan, a woman to whom she bears an uncanny resemblance. Lonely in her own life, Jenny is embraced by Jessie’s warm circle of friends—and finds unexpected romance. But when she delves into Jessie’s past, Jenny discovers a secret that spurs her to take another leap into the unknown.
Jenny Shaw is used to just going along with her life, so when her boyfriend breaks up with her at the airport when she's leaving for a business trip, Jenny really doesn't know what to feel. As soon as she arrives at the conference, though, someone mistakes her for a long lost friend who came to that same hotel for their high school reunion. Caught up in the idea of being such a loved, carefree person, Jenny takes on the life of Jessie Morgan. Jenny finds herself as part of an amazing circle of friends and even finds a little romance, but Jenny has to remember that she's living as Jessie, not herself. But Jessie wasn't as perfect as her friends make her out to be, leaving Jenny to discover a past full of secrets she's not sure she's ready to uncover.
Right off the bat, I immediately loved Jenny's character and how she never puts herself out there. So when she takes on the life of Jessie, I was so intrigued to see how Jenny could be a person so sure of herself when Jenny is definitely not a confident woman. Following Jenny discover a life full of caring friends is so heartwarming, because Jenny doesn't really have that in her own life. Add on the fact that it isn't really Jenny's life to live, and you find yourself anxiously waiting for her cover to be blown at any second.
Jenny's story had this sweet quality to it that just made this book so charming. Yeah, it's wrong to pretend you're someone else, but the way Jenny's life was going and how much she needed a friend made it seem okay. Overall, this was a cute book that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. If you're in the mood for a light, cute adult contemporary, I'd recommend picking up a copy of Why Can't I Be You.
It sounds so cute! I can't imagine taking on the persona of someone else, but I'm glad that you said it added to the story, even if it's wrong. ;)
ReplyDeleteJenny sounds like an interesting character, but she's different when she's Jessie? That's weird. LOL. I think I'll add this to my TBR. Great review, Jessica! (:
Loves,
Megan@The Book Babe
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought you have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
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