Introduction

Soon to be a Major Motion Picture

"An engaging and smart novel with rich characters.”—She Knows Red Hot Book of the Week

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 “Jessie!” 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 Jessie’s warm circle of friends—and finds unexpected romance. But when she delves into Jessie’s past, Jenny discovers a secret that spurs her to take another leap into the unknown.

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Discussion Questions

1. In the opening scene of the novel, Jenny thinks that Deagan is going to ask her to move in with him, when in fact he’s actually breaking up with her. How does this scene set the tone for the rest of the first chapter? For the rest of the novel? 2. What were your first impressions of Luanne? How did your perception of her change throughout the course of the novel? Did her reaction to Jenny’s confrontation at the end surprise you? 3. When Myra first mistakes Jenny for Jessie, why doesn’t Jenny stop her right away? Can you understand this instinct? Can you imagine yourself doing the same thing? 4. Why do you think the author chooses to reveal the details of Jenny’s home life as a child slowly, over the course of the book? How does this technique enhance your understanding of the character? 5. At the beginning of her conference, Jenny notes: “My name was caught in my throat every time I introduced myself as Jenny Shaw. Like somehow I was the lie, and Jessie Morgan was the truth.” Why do you think she feels this way? 6. What do you make of Kyle? Why do you think Jenny falls for men like this? What is it that makes her resist this time? 7. Consider the warmth with which Myra, Robbie, and Heather welcome “Jessie” back into their lives. Were you surprised to learn about the way she treated all of them back in high school? What does their reaction to her “return” tell you about them? 8. Jenny often thinks to herself about how much she hates lying to Myra, Robbie, Heather and Fish. But she doesn’t think about that when she sees Fish with another woman -- she just gets angry. Why is she blind to the irony here? What does that tell you about her feelings for Fish? 9. When Jenny meets Mr. Foster, he studies her carefully, and she wonders if he suspects the truth. What do you think? 10. How is Jenny able to help Robbie work through his feelings about having a baby with Heather? Do you think the real Jessie would have -- or could have -- provided the same support? 11. What is Jenny’s relationship with her mother like? How does it mirror Jessie’s in some ways? What do you think about how Jenny leaves things with her mother at the end of the novel? 12. What do you make of the anagram portraits Jenny finds of Jessie? What about Jenny’s paintings of fictional characters? What do these hobbies tell you about each of these women? About the girls that they once were? 13. What’s your opinion of Karen? Why does she confront “Jessie” at the campfire after keeping quiet for so long? 14. What did you think of Jessie when you finally meet her? Does seeing her in the flesh change your perception of her at all? Is she as awful as Karen makes her out to be? Or do you feel sorry for her, like Jenny does? How does pretending to be Jessie change Jenny? What is it about assuming Jessie’s personality that helps her grow? 15. What were your thoughts on the end of the novel? Does the future looks bright for Jenny? For the rest of the gang?
Quote from the Book - What was the point of being a faithful, loyal girlfriend who put all her time and energy into planning for the future and supporting her boyfriend, only to have him run off with some remedial volleyball player? What was the point in living for tomorrow instead of today, of putting faith in people who would only let me down? Really, what was the point of being Jenny Shaw?

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»	Allie Larkin's website
»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Read an excerpt

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