When
I first heard about Carol Snow's upcoming novel, Just Like Me, Only
Better, I was instantly looking forward to getting my hands on it as it
seemed a world away from the usual tales of celebrity - original and
somewhat quirky. And I love quirky. Just Like Me, Only Better is due to
hit the shelves in April and I can tell you, it's a fantastic read.(Click here to read Trashionista's interview with Carol Snow.)
When
Veronica's husband Hank leaves her for another woman (a much older
woman, embarrassingly enough), her life becomes a struggle. Alone with
son Ben and with little money from a job as a substitute teacher,
Veronica is forced to move into a friend's house in order to make ends
meet. Ben seems to adore Hank's rich new partner, Darcy DaCosta, which
makes Veronica feel even worse - and it doesn't help when she keeps
getting mistaken for teen star Haley Rush.
However, Veronica is about to get a surprising break. Whilst out to dinner with friends, Veronica is approached by a mysterious man who notices straight away her resemblance to Haley. And when he asks her to meet, curious Veronica agrees...
However, Veronica is about to get a surprising break. Whilst out to dinner with friends, Veronica is approached by a mysterious man who notices straight away her resemblance to Haley. And when he asks her to meet, curious Veronica agrees...
Jay Sharpie is
the manager of teenage megastar Haley Rush herself, and as it turns
out, he's looking for a Haley double. In order for the megastar to work
on her movies and music, rest and yet still remain in the public eye,
it's going to take two. Two Haleys, that is. And Veronica fits the
picture just perfectly.
And at $100 an hour, she
just can't refuse. After all, the job description is simple. Just be
Haley. All Veronica has to do is be seen out and about - and of course,
tell NOBODY about her new assignment.
Sworn to
secrecy, Veronica meets Haley Rush, role model to teens everywhere -
and is a little disappointed. Far from the wholesome image she portrays
on screen, Haley is far from smiley and sweet. In fact, she's spoiled,
rebellious and can't go for one minute without shouting the F-word.
Soon,
Veronica embarks on her Haley makeover, complete with spray tan, hair
extensions and borrowed wardrobe (cowboy boots included!). Veronica
simply has to look, dress and act like Haley in public. Which is easy
enough - that is, until teen heartthrob Brady, Haley's supposed love
interest, is brought into the picture. Brady and 'Haley' have to be
seen together to give the fans what they want. Still living by the
advice of manager Jay, Veronica obeys. But what if Brady doesn't like
Haley after all? What if he really likes the woman who's only pretending?
Veronica's schedule as Haley's
official lookalike becomes hectic, waiting around for hair stylists and
attending parties as the teenage favourite. Meanwhile, her home life is
starting to suffer. She's soon being judged by friends for her
late-night 'partying', she's late picking up Ben from school, and of
course, she can't explain the real reason for her new transformation to
her friends. And when Haley begins to go off the rails, sneaking out
drunk in the middle of the night, Veronica's schedule becomes even more
demanding...
Just Like Me, Only Better is a warm and delightful story that I couldn't put down, focusing on one struggling divorcee's rise to fame, who is met some harsh realisations, a makeover and a possible new love along the way. Is the celebrity life really all it's cracked up to be?
Rating: 5/5
Just Like Me, Only Better is a warm and delightful story that I couldn't put down, focusing on one struggling divorcee's rise to fame, who is met some harsh realisations, a makeover and a possible new love along the way. Is the celebrity life really all it's cracked up to be?
Rating: 5/5
