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The Stand-In
- Narrated by: Phillipa Soo
- Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
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Publisher's Summary
How to upend your life:
- Get fired by gross, handsy boss
- Fail to do laundry (again)
- Be mistaken for famous Chinese actress
- Fall head-first into glitzy new world
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.

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About the Performer
Audible Questionnaire with Phillipa Soo
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What listeners say about The Stand-In
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- sj
- 2021-07-16
Funny! and T.Dot proud
Phillipa Soo is so good with the voices, I actually fell in love with her male lead's voice. Lily Chu is a funny author, I had laugh out loud moments. Those that love the first Shopaholic book, it will kinda reminds you of it for the humour and the quirky aspects of the female lead. F bombs are dropped and that made the book more real and I actually like it's use. It's 10hrs, could not stop listening to it, and i'd listen to the first 7 hours again and again! Had real issues with the back half - the editor should have got their red marker out.
Love the fact all core characters of the book are Mixed Race, Chinese, and Indian. So refreshing! She also has great real-world commentary about white people's racism, workplace harassment, and mixed-race people's feelings of isolation in a nation that is still new with having mixed races kids. oh and it discusses depression and anxiety! (yah, all of that in a chick-lit book!) But it all works and makes this book richer for the real issues that are wrapped in this over the top romance.
Reviews with Mild spoilers...
Drake has done a lot to make Toronto proud of itself. Usually, books or shows written by Canadians are placed in an undisclosed American city. This book tells you, again and again, it's in Canada. Awesome! The weird thing though is that on July 1st - there is no mention of Canada Day events in T.Dot, even if you chose to protest it, it's still a weird omit, esp since it's the big day where one character is intro'd to the city.
The Romance is earned, however, the lead is really really obsessed with the male's body. This leads to fantastic descriptions, but it's hard to believe that she falls in love with him for who he actually is, rather than him being rich, famous, and hot. The last half of the book really needed an edit. It goes on and on with her never learning, and making the same mistakes over and over again. And repeating over and over her anxieties. Which in real life we can all appreciate, but when it leads to 50 stupid decisions and in a chick-lit it just gets a bit long. This also lead to a very disappointing reunion where she didn't have the balls to do the right thing, so you kinda feel, why why is he in love with her? But everything else with the ending is great.
This book can end as it is, but it seems like if it's successful it can be opened for a series, since you got the family in China still to deal with, if it stays with the 2 leads or it can refocus on 2 other amazing women - one with the potential beau name-dropped several times. Either way, I'll def listen to it. Just hope for better editing for book 2.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-11-22
Didn't see the twist a good one
Great book, great storyline and narration. The book touched on some serious issues like mental health, workplace harrasmeant, and dealing with an againg parent and all that comes with it. Despite touching on serious issues the story didn't leave you glum, instead presented a realistic look at life and maneuvering through all that comes with it. The storyline and characters created humor and finding strength and hope and allies in the most unlikely scenarios or people. The banter between Gracie and Sam and even Gracie's own internal dialog's created good humor and laughs. The twist at the end was unexpected so I liked that. Definitely a good listen.
1 person found this helpful
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- Sara
- 2023-02-05
Fresh and smart take on rom-com genre
Laugh out loud at times, heartbreaking at others, this book touches on issues of celebrity culture, racism, sexism, classism, the realities of aging parents, first-generation Canadians, and more. And easy listen over all that will keep you engaged. Based in Toronto! Poignant and heartwarming without being saccharine.
Tw: miscarriage, sexual harassment, sick parent.
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- S. Sears
- 2023-01-31
Fresh Canadian Author
I was delighted to listen to The Stand-In! On a whim, listening in between credits, I was so refreshed to listen to a whimsical story, a pinch of cross-culture for me and to learn that the author is also Canadian! I loved everything about it! Who knew that Toronto could be a great backdrop to a romcom! I am a fast fan of Lily Chu now! I look forward to many more stories!
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-01-28
Fun in Grace
Truly enjoyed the humour and settings in this story. The Canadian locations seemed familiar, taking me deeper into my imagination.
I have a soft spot for first person narrative stories and this was well executed by Phillipa Soo.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2023-01-26
So enjoyable to listen to
Loved the story and the performance. Easy to listen to. Fun twists throughout the story.
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- Erin Sabourin
- 2023-01-26
Love a Canadian author
This book was romance with a black out scene. I’ll be reading / listening to the rest of her books!
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- Emma G.
- 2023-01-23
Phillips Soo is wonderful
The story was entertaining but not fantastic, however, Phillipa did an excellent job reading this story. I am impressed!
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- Judith panson
- 2023-01-21
Entertaining story.
This is the second book I’ve listened to by Lily Chu and have enjoyed both of them.
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-01-16
AMAZING
It was so great. I expected it to be OK, but it was way better than "OK". It was one of those books you can't put down (or pause, in the case of an audiobook). I listened to it any chance I got. I would (and will) recommend it.
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- Heather85
- 2021-07-16
Wow!
This story was absolutely fantastic! the characters were fun, there chemistry was insane, and the banter-- OMG! Gracie and Sam were an absolute perfect pair! I went excited to see if this was going to be another prince and the pauper retelling, which it isn't by the way, it's something truly its own. I love retellings, but I'm not at all disappointed that I got this story all wrong. I loved that this book brought forth positive Asian representation, and the fact that people may sometimes say things unwillingly that could be offensive to individuals of dual racial backgrounds. it was addressed in a classy, not aggressive way. I loved how Gracie learned to love herself, and her identity, and then came to realize that she deserved to love too. That Sam may be famous, but he's just like her in many ways. That he's just as lucky to love someone like her. This story is empowering, and fun, and romantic, and hilarious, and cute! The plot is adorable, and heartwarming, and slightly suspenseful. I could not put this story down! This is an absolute must read clean, fresh Romantic comedy, and I would recommend it for any age really. It was truly a delight to experience. I can't wait to ready this story again! Phillipa Soo performed the story well. I was very engaged in her reading, and look forward to more performances by her.
99 people found this helpful
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- AJ
- 2021-07-15
Wonderfully written and narrated story!
Oh, I love this book! 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!
Gracie Reed’s life is a bit of a mess. Between avoiding her skeezy boss, getting her beloved mother into a nicer nursing home, and finding the perfect planner to keep track of the many lists swimming around in her head, she’s struggling to keep her head above water. But an incredible opportunity arises when she is randomly approached by Chinese cinema’s golden girl, Wei Fangli, who pleads with look-alike Gracie to act as her stand-in, pretending to be her at a series of social events while she is working in town. Desperate Fangli offers Gracie an obscene amount of money for the job, and it seems like the answers to all of her problems… except that Fangli’s best friend, fellow actor, rumoured love interest, and sexiest man alive, Sam Yao, hates the idea - and, it seems, Gracie by extension. And he’ll be the one escorting her to glitzy events around town. It’s such a fun set-up, and I was so excited to see how it would all play out!
I love Gracie! She’s flawed, awkward and kinda graceless, and she’s so relatable! Watching her enter the completely foreign world of wealth, privilege and celebrity is so funny. And watching her do it while snarking and bantering with a very standoffish Sam is even better! Their dynamic is so much fun, and the chemistry that very clearly brews between them is awesome to watch.
As Gracie grows more comfortable in her role, she gets to know Fangli, and their friendship is just gorgeous. It soon becomes clear that even though it looks like somebody so beautiful and talented is living a fairytale, the reality is far from that. It’s emotional, and so beautifully written, and I loved the care that was taken with Fangli’s story, and her growing relationship with Gracie.
And, of course, Gracie spends a whole lot of time with Sam. He’s such a great character – again, so very real and his shift in attitude throughout the book is natural and so well written. Their friendship is slower developing, but Gracie’s honesty, wit and openness win him over, and we get this beautifully slow-burning enemies-friends-lovers story that completely swept me up. It’s so sweet, with so much heart, and that sense of fun and snark between Gracie and Sam builds into a fun, banter-filled romance that is an absolute delight to read.
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.
I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Phillipa Soo, and she does an incredible job with it! She brings Gracie to life with so much heart and relatability, and this story was a joy to listen to. Though I’ll have to reread it again once it comes out on kindle, because there were so many times I wish I could highlight what I was reading – the dialogue, and Gracie’s inner monologue, are just gold.
This is a wonderfully written story that is smart, funny, romantic and full of heart. It’s definitely a fave of 2021.
55 people found this helpful
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- Alicia Kindle Customer
- 2021-06-18
entertaining and easy listening
I really enjoyed the story, it was entertaining and definitely had funny moments. I was glad the main character had some sass and back bone and stood up for herself. I like Sam and Gracie as a couple. I thought the narrator did a good job with the pace of the story
35 people found this helpful
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- Melena
- 2021-07-15
a fantastic audiobook!
I can be picky about audiobooks. It has to be just the right combination of engaging story and a narrator that embodies the characters. Lily Chu and Phillipa Soo knocked it out of the park with The Stand-In!
Gracie has a lot on her plate. She was just fired and is trying to get her mom into a different nursing home. When she meets famous Chinese actress Wei Fangli and actor Sam Yao, her whole life changes. Since they look so much alike the actress asks Gracie to be her stand-in.
Gracie was a relatable character, and I really enjoyed following her adventures and experiences in a world that she's never been part of before. The story is nicely paced with interesting characters, drama, and romance that make it impossible to stop listening. I cannot wait to read more from Lily and to listen to more books narrated by Phillipa!
32 people found this helpful
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- Christina
- 2021-07-16
highly annoying main character
Maybe I'm being too harsh but the main character is an idiot. The setup has plot holes you can drive a semi truck through. This woman is apparently a functional adult who cannot make rational decisions. You can be a meek person without being an idiot. It is all first person stream of consciousness so there is no break from her stupidity. I like the premise and can usually slog my way through until it gets good but I gave up at chapter 5. The narrator was good and did her best with what she had to work with.
27 people found this helpful
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- kaytee
- 2021-07-17
yes!!!!
What a great story! This book warmed my heart, made me laugh, shake my head in embarrassment with the characters, and left me feeling happy. I loved that the main character was biracial. While that’s only a part of the story, it also helps carry a theme of being “in between”. Not being fully in one world or another. It’s a theme throughout the story (impersonating an actress vs. being herself, being confident vs. docile, etc etc).
I just really liked this story, and the narrator was perfect!
18 people found this helpful
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- DragonflyReads
- 2021-07-16
So much fun!
The Stand-In was a fantastic debut. Phillipa Soo’a narration was spot-on for the storyline. Quick-whirred writing and an original storyline, The Stand-In was a blast to listen to!
18 people found this helpful
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- Sexy Vixen Reader
- 2021-06-26
Cute and funny
This is a cute and funny story with a bit of heavy but definitely, an enjoyable read, and Phillipa Soo did a wonderful job can't wait to see what else she decides to narrate.
16 people found this helpful
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- KD
- 2021-06-24
Love it
The Stand-In by Lily Chu, narrated by Phillipa Soo, is a stand-alone own voices, rom/com.
Gracie loves her lists, her plans. But life has other plans and now she's out of a job, her mother needs financial help, the list goes on.
When she gets proposed to be the Stand-In for part of a superstar couple, what to do??? Take the job, what else? And that throws her into the world of glitz and glamour.
The storyline is diary style, set in Canada, with a chinese-candian heroine.
A literally unputdownable story where worlds are turned upside-down, enemies become lovers, twists and turns and more, much, much more.
The story is perfectly narrated, a voice fitting for the story and the character I build in my head.
I enjoyed this early listen very much. A great story, unique, lovable.
16 people found this helpful
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- Robin Lynch
- 2021-07-07
Mistaken Identity and a little bit of life swap
What would you do if you were fed up with what life was offering to you and then when all seemed lost you were mistaken for someone famous? Would you go along with things and allow people to think you were the famous actress you look a little bit like? What would happen when that famous person asks you to help them as they need a break from it all? This is how we get into this story. There is a lot at steak for several people and unexpected things will happen.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story. The was always something lurking just beyond that kept you listening a little longer.
12 people found this helpful