This book is thoughtful, well-paced contemporary story that explores reputation, self-image, and the sometimes-disguised value of authenticity.
Nicola Gill crafts a storyline that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

This is an emotionally charged story with layers of complexity woven through. Clare is mourning the loss of her life as she imagined it, she is desperate to become a mother but this has not happened, contributing to the breakdown of her marriage. And her professional life is equally floundering, her previous successes as a copywriter forgotten and her freelance work a pittance of what she is used to.
Against this background, Clare begins an unlikely sideline as a lookalike for a TV presenter- and she’s really good at it. The problem is knowing where she ends and her fake life begins. As the boundaries blur between the two, Clare is caught in the middle of it all and doesn’t know where to turn.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for this ARC.

Clare, 41, is a novelist and freelance copywriter. She also works as celebrity lookalike and impersonator of reality TV presenter Jenna Cox. One day, a teacher mistakes her for the real Jenna and asks her to support the show his class are rehearsing for to get their 11 year old classmate Alex, who has cancer, to Disneyland. Clare has no intention to turn up more than once but finds herself at every rehearsal, with it becoming more and more difficult to tell the truth about who she really is.

If you think this is a fluffy romance, think again. This is the story of a deeply unhappy woman, traumatised by five miscarriages and the subsequent end of her marriage to husband Stephen which led to a mental breakdown. Her first and so far only book was published seven years ago and she's barely making ends meet.

Then she finds out something about Stephen that floors her and leads to a fallout with best friend Meg. The only thing that keeps her upright are the kids and teacher Sam. But they only know her as Jenna - how long is this sustainable? And who can she rely on? When everything goes haywire, support comes from surprising quarters.

The book has a lot of flashbacks starting in 2015, detailing how she got to where she is now. If miscarriage is a trigger to you, this book is not for you, as it's a huge part of the story that has shaped Clare. Sam says about Clare's first book: "Parts of it are sad but there’s this strong undercurrent of optimism" and I think this is a good description for this book as well. Clare doesn't always act rationally but she isn't the monster she thinks she is and I was glad she went back into therapy.

This is about a woman who has lost everything including herself and has to piece herself together by way of first impersonating someone else. It is written with emotion and gentle humour and will tug on your heartstrings. Most characters are lovely and relatable except maybe for Jenna who is the one deceiving everyone for personal gain with the book she didn't write herself.

Clare is fed up with her life and with everyone else around her. So, when she becomes aware that she bears a resemblance to the beloved TV presenter Jenna, it is tempting to allow people to believe that she is in fact Jenna - at least for casual encounters.

Because let's face it, fame and popularity make life so much easier at an everyday level. Or do they?

There is certainly momentary pleasure to be had from such an impersonation. But is it really sustainable? Or is Clare about to open up a can of worms that she will very soon regret?

Gill's storytelling offers a light touch and a relatable protagonist. This one will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers and gets 3.5 stars.

This was so fun! I think we all wish we could be someone else at one point in our lives especially going through a rough patch. it was all fun and games until it’s isn’t and that what makes this story so interesting and page turning worthy.