A Dream Within A Dream: Why Can't I Be You Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Why Can't I Be You
Author: Allie Larkin
Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: February 26, 2013

Publisher: Plume

Book Links:
Penguin
Barnes and Noble
Indie Bound
Amazon

Description:

WHY CAN’T I BE YOU takes its name from a 1987 hit song from English rock band The Cure. All her life, Jenny Shaw toed the line, striving to be the perfect colleague, girlfriend, and daughter – a path that has led her to an unhappy (though successful) career, a failed relationship, and all-but-severed family ties. On her way to the airport for her first business trip, she is unceremoniously dumped by the man she thought she would one day marry. In her haze of shock and confusion, she responds to the wrong name when Myra Aberly, organizer of Seattle’s Mt. Si class of 1999’s thirteenth high-school reunion, shouts “Jessie!” across the hotel lobby.

In an instant, Jenny Shaw becomes Jessie Morgan, a woman to whom she bears an uncanny resemblance. She is immediately embraced by Jessie’s warm circle of friends – and gains a possible love interest. But when Jenny becomes more and more curious about Jessie’s history, she uncovers a trail of secrets, pain and deceit that inspires her to uncover the truth that will heal her own painful past.

Have you ever wanted to leave the old you behind and start a new life? Have you ever thought about pretending to be someone else - even just for a little while - because your real life is so pathetic and boring? That's what happens when Jenny Shaw finds herself recently dumped, out of town for a business trip, and mistakenly identified as a long lost friend at a high school reunion. Jenny embraces the identity mishap and embodies the person she envisions her look-alike - Jessie Morgan - to be. What happens after that is funny, unexpected, and might be exactly what Jenny had been yearning for all along.

This was a fun, witty book that embodies that age old question and thought that circles everyone's mind - what would you do if you could be someone else? Jenny's escapades as Jessie are interesting and introspective at the same time. The writing was easy and conversational, which immediately sucked me into the book. I loved Jenny as the main character - her personality and witty inner dialogue instantly endeared her to me and I connected immediately with her on several levels. Her snarky attitude and humor mimic everyday concerns and ideas, so much that it felt like she was reading my mind at times. She is a realistic character - she's flawed and she knows it - and she also has to deal with everyday problems like healing a broken heart, a demanding alcoholic mother, bossy best friend, and the death of her dreams from years before. Not only is this a fun and charming novel, but it's one that makes you really think about the person you are, the person you once were, and the one you wish you could be. There are moments of clarity and insight mixed in with the snippy dialogue and comedic happenings throughout the story. The writing is expertly done in a way that ensnares the reader right from the beginning and will stay with them long after the book is done. Highly recommended for fans of women's fiction and humor novels.

Allie Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novel Stay, and the upcoming novel Why Can’t I Be You (2013). She lives with her husband, Jeremy, their two German Shepherds, Argo and Stella, and a three-legged cat.

Author Social Media links:
WEBSITE: http://allielarkinwrites.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allie-Larkin-Writes/116227021725680
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/allielarkin