I received this book as part of the goodreads first read giveaway. I wasn't sure what to expect because I don't normally read short stories. I'd give this book 3.5-4 because some of the stories stuck with me and left me with a better feeling than others. I enjoyed that there was one character, Maya, that was revisited several times. I think that might say that I am more of a novel reader than a short story fan. Some of the stories ended with me still wanting more.

I received this book as part of the first reads giveaway and I wasn't sure what to expect. From the beginning, I had a hard time connecting with Richard, the main character. I felt as if he spent most of time just complaining about everything in his life. As I read on, I kept waiting for something major to occur, whether in the past or the present, but I don't feel like that event ever came. I finished the book still feeling like questions were unanswered and I was missing something.

I never quite got used to the writing in this novel either. I often had trouble deciding whether Richard's thoughts were inside his head or actually being spoken. Some conversations seemed to be solely in his own head but it was hard to tell.

In all, I don't think the style of this book was for me.

I won this book from a giveaway on GR and it is the first Megan Abbott book I've read. This book definitely made me glad I'm not a high school girl anymore. I enjoyed the feeling that I was getting into each character's head and I had to keep reading to find out who would fall sick next. I gave this book 4 stars simply for the slow start, but once I got hooked, I had to know what was going on in this small town. Abbott takes the reader through so many different theories that I had no idea which one to believe.

I'm not usually one to write reviews along with my ratings, but when I read an Allie Larkin book it just feels necessary. Her first book, Stay, was an instant favorite for me and Why Can't I Be You was no different.

This is the story of a girl that takes on an entirely new persona when a stranger mistakes her for a long last friend. It sounds like a weird concept, as she is conning a wonderful, loving group of people, but I will admit that I laughed, I cried, and I felt like a better person when I finished reading. This book reminds you that you have to be the person you want to be, not who you think everyone else is expecting.