Who pretends to be another person just because they're lonely and tired of being themselves? Β Jenny Shaw does exactly that. Β In WHY CAN'T I BE YOU by Allie Larkin, Jenny is about to leave for a conference and on her way to the airport, her boyfriend, Deagan, tells her their relationship is over. Β She thought he was going to ask her to move in. Β He tells her he is attracted to a girl on his volley ball team, Faye, and has to explore his feelings for her. Β Jenny is crushed. Β She cries all the way to Seattle. Β Once she gets to the hotel, Β she hears someone shouting For Jessie Morgan. Β The woman, Myra, thinks Jenny is really an old high school friend, Jessie, who is in town for their high school reunion. Β Jenny, has never really had a good friend and feels instantly attracted to Myra as maybe, her new best friend. Β Soon, Jenny gets all caught up in pretending she is Jessie.
She allows Myra, who is a clothing designer, to pick out her dress for the reunion, talks her into getting her haircut, and just let's her be her friend. Β Myra brings her to dinner where she meets Jessie's other friends. Jenny is so caught up in pretending to be Jessie, but she knows what she is doing is wrong. Β She must tell Myra and the rest of the gang that she isn't Jessie. Β But every day it gets harder and harder to walk away from all of them. Β She's never had friends like them, and when she meets Fish, Jessie's old boyfriend, she knows that no matter what, this won't end good. Β Apparently, Jessie left Fish and her life in Seattle when Fish confessed that he loved her. Β Jenny tries to make it right with Fish before she has to go back to her boring life. Β She only has a week and she never expected to fall hard for Fish.
WHY CAN'T I BE YOU is a wonderful book. I fell in love with all the characters, but all the while I was reading, I was wondering how they were going to feel when Jenny came clean with them! Β I was cheering for Jenny as she helped all of her "new old" friends with the little things in their lives. Β She gave much more of herself to them than Β the real Jessie did. Β Jenny did a whole lot of soul searching while pretending to be someone else. Β Who wouldn't want to be someone else at least for a little while??
At one time or another, everyone has wished they 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 βJessie!β 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 Jessieβs warm circle of friendsβand finds
unexpected romance. But when she delves into Jessieβs past,
Jenny discovers a secret that spurs her to take another leap
into the unknown.
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