Allie Larkin's charming, fun book perfect for summertime

We've all had days where we wanted to be someone else. For Jenny Shaw, the main character in Allie Larkin's darling new book “Why Can't I Be You,” that day came when her boyfriend broke up with her (right before she left on a big business trip), she lost her luggage, and ended up with gum in her hair. By the time she made it to the hotel, she was exhausted and wanted to cry.

So when a woman ran across the lobby and gave Jenny a huge hug, it's understandable why Jenny went with it.

Dejected and overwhelmed by her own life, Jenny becomes Jessie Morgan or “Jessie Effng Morgan,” a beloved and revered high school classmate who hasn't been seen since graduation. Jenny bears a striking physical resemblance to Jessie, but Jenny is a timid people-pleaser, nothing like the bold and outgoing Jessie. “She was the girl who wore tube tops and stole her dad's credit card. She had no inhibitions. If I was going to be her, I had to get rid of mine.”

In becoming Jessie, Jenny realizes what's been missing from her own life. But as her confidence builds, so does her feeling of dread, as she knows she can't stay Jessie forever.

“Why Can't I Be You” is a charming, fun summer book. Larkin's characters are so well-drawn and funny they feel like close, personal friends.

“See!” Luanne said, laughing. “You're going to be fine …. We'll get you some hot dentist sex or some steamy science teacher action.”

"Dentist sex?”

“Nerds are way better in bed than frat boys …. They're grateful and creative.”

While the plot requires some suspension of disbelief, Larkin wraps it all up beautifully. The wonderful dialogue and character development make it easy to get swept up and wonder not who would I rather be, but what am I holding back?