What do you think?
Rate this book
Understudy
Robin Mulcahey has always dreamed of being a big-time actress. As a college student, she took endless drama classes and finally snagged the lead of Maggie in Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof . Now, six years later, she’s one of the country’s hottest soap-opera stars. She’s just won a Daytime Emmy for her portrayal of South Riding ’s bad girl, and now when it seemed life couldn’t get any more perfect, she’s wed Declan Blair, an up-and-coming Irish film actor.
So what’s the problem?
Robin Mulcahey is dead. She was killed in a devastating car wreck in 1996 while riding with her best friend, Amy Shiley. Amy, battered beyond recognition in the accident, was mistaken for Robin and has played the role of Robin Mulcahey ever since. But Amy’s never been able to forget the love she shared with Paul Mulcahey—Robin’s older brother.
If you had the chance to become someone else, would you take it?
So what’s the problem?
Robin Mulcahey is dead. She was killed in a devastating car wreck in 1996 while riding with her best friend, Amy Shiley. Amy, battered beyond recognition in the accident, was mistaken for Robin and has played the role of Robin Mulcahey ever since. But Amy’s never been able to forget the love she shared with Paul Mulcahey—Robin’s older brother.
If you had the chance to become someone else, would you take it?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2003
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Carole Bellacera
14 books24 followersRITA-Award-nominated author of six novels of women's fiction--BORDER CROSSINGS, EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON, UNDERSTUDY, CHOCOLATE ON A STICK, TANGO'S EDGE and SPOTLIGHT"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2024
Well, this book completed my ABC one word title quest. I had started another "U" book but had to DNF it.
This story was the much better choice by far. Imagine having nothing, no social status, no beautiful home, no loving parents, and no money. Now imagine you were given the opportunity to have it all. Would you take the opportunity? All you have to do is allow the parents of your best friend continue to believe that you are really their daughter.
After a car accident, Amy is mistaken for her friend, Robin. They had looked so much alike, and with some borrowed clothes being worn, the mistake was easy to make. Throw in the fact that both girls had severe damage to their faces and so the deception begins. Amy is now Robin, and "Amy" is buried. What could go wrong? The fact that Amy was hopelessly in love with Robins brother. or that she must change her way of eating, taking on another's dream job which is so opposite of what you had planned? Or worse, finding out that this "perfect" family, or so you thought, was so far from perfect that you are left reeling.
Loved the story and the outcome.
This story was the much better choice by far. Imagine having nothing, no social status, no beautiful home, no loving parents, and no money. Now imagine you were given the opportunity to have it all. Would you take the opportunity? All you have to do is allow the parents of your best friend continue to believe that you are really their daughter.
After a car accident, Amy is mistaken for her friend, Robin. They had looked so much alike, and with some borrowed clothes being worn, the mistake was easy to make. Throw in the fact that both girls had severe damage to their faces and so the deception begins. Amy is now Robin, and "Amy" is buried. What could go wrong? The fact that Amy was hopelessly in love with Robins brother. or that she must change her way of eating, taking on another's dream job which is so opposite of what you had planned? Or worse, finding out that this "perfect" family, or so you thought, was so far from perfect that you are left reeling.
Loved the story and the outcome.
January 12, 2015
This is a really interesting story and a great concept. It just moves so slowly!
It starts off with the accident and how the mix-up occurred. Then we move to the flashback of their first meeting and everything leading up to the accident. This took a lot of time building, maybe too much time. Really I can't pick anything I would cut, it has meaning, it just drags.
Moving forward the story has many other flashbacks to give meaning to the scenes. It really is a great story and such a dilemma. There are many morally grey areas, especially concerning the relationship with the brother. It is borderline taboo.
I was intrigued with everything, it is so hard to do this without spoilers!! In the end I felt the resolution was real-ish and worked. My favorite part of the is book was dishy Declan, and I loved his ending!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angie Hickman who does a great job. She is challenged with the task of having to voice one character two very different ways. First as herself, then as the mimic of her friend. As Amy she has a nice down to earth tone, really solid and like-able. As Robin, she is kind of annoying, but that is toned down after the accident, thank goodness. Ms Hickman has a great pace and keeps the story moving, even in the slower parts. Loved her accents!!
Disclosure - I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
It starts off with the accident and how the mix-up occurred. Then we move to the flashback of their first meeting and everything leading up to the accident. This took a lot of time building, maybe too much time. Really I can't pick anything I would cut, it has meaning, it just drags.
Moving forward the story has many other flashbacks to give meaning to the scenes. It really is a great story and such a dilemma. There are many morally grey areas, especially concerning the relationship with the brother. It is borderline taboo.
I was intrigued with everything, it is so hard to do this without spoilers!! In the end I felt the resolution was real-ish and worked. My favorite part of the is book was dishy Declan, and I loved his ending!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angie Hickman who does a great job. She is challenged with the task of having to voice one character two very different ways. First as herself, then as the mimic of her friend. As Amy she has a nice down to earth tone, really solid and like-able. As Robin, she is kind of annoying, but that is toned down after the accident, thank goodness. Ms Hickman has a great pace and keeps the story moving, even in the slower parts. Loved her accents!!
Disclosure - I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
September 8, 2020
This is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book
with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The plot is so interesting! I couldn´t stop reading! Amazing job! definitely a must read!
with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The plot is so interesting! I couldn´t stop reading! Amazing job! definitely a must read!
Read
March 16, 202211/29/14
November 23, 2015
***AUDIOBOOK***
This book started out slow for me. I felt the building of Amy and Robin’s friendship took more time than I would have liked. I understood the reason for this was to call attention to details that would have greater significance later on in the story. Robin was never a likeable person to me, and the narrator chose to give her an annoying voice (which matched her personality). That voice softened throughout the story but was tough to tolerate in the beginning.
The story became intriguing once the accident takes place and more so when Robin makes a life for herself, separate from who her heart desires. I wasn’t expecting her deception to take on the longevity that it did. Bringing in the character of Declan further threw me and had me fixated not only on where the plot was going but how it would end. This was my favorite part of the story, and a good reason for that was not only because of his personal issues, which becomes a significant turning point for the main characters, but because the narrator really shined when she captured his Irish accent.
Although I was happy with the ending, I do feel the plot was essentially went on too long as was too far- fetched for me. The setting is in the 1990’s, and the medical/surgical aspects didn’t fit in respect to capability. Modern methods may have delivered the smooth, beautiful outcome achieved (not only once but twice) but I don’t think results in the 90’s were as efficient. Then there's the moral turmoil Paul had to overcome which was discomforting even after everything was said and done.
This book started out slow for me. I felt the building of Amy and Robin’s friendship took more time than I would have liked. I understood the reason for this was to call attention to details that would have greater significance later on in the story. Robin was never a likeable person to me, and the narrator chose to give her an annoying voice (which matched her personality). That voice softened throughout the story but was tough to tolerate in the beginning.
The story became intriguing once the accident takes place and more so when Robin makes a life for herself, separate from who her heart desires. I wasn’t expecting her deception to take on the longevity that it did. Bringing in the character of Declan further threw me and had me fixated not only on where the plot was going but how it would end. This was my favorite part of the story, and a good reason for that was not only because of his personal issues, which becomes a significant turning point for the main characters, but because the narrator really shined when she captured his Irish accent.
Although I was happy with the ending, I do feel the plot was essentially went on too long as was too far- fetched for me. The setting is in the 1990’s, and the medical/surgical aspects didn’t fit in respect to capability. Modern methods may have delivered the smooth, beautiful outcome achieved (not only once but twice) but I don’t think results in the 90’s were as efficient. Then there's the moral turmoil Paul had to overcome which was discomforting even after everything was said and done.
August 21, 2014
This novel is alive with character dynamic and plot intrigue, but Angie Hickman manages to make it breathe, move and live through her audio narration. She is most intimately at home with the voice of the protagonist, Amy Shiley: she manages to make this young woman's tone at once so authentic yet so poignant. But Hickman also brings all the other characters to the ear in a way that makes them just jump off the page--the male voices are done in a lower vocal range that makes the reader momentarily suspend memory of Hickman's gender. One male character, Declan (?) has an Irish accent--Hickman manages to pull this off, the same way she pulls off Eastern European and Indian accents and even accents within Appalachia that are distinct from one another. The width of Hickman's range is amazing; the depth she gives each character is stunning. While Robin Mulcahey's accent and manner is delivered in a way that makes her somewhat unlikeable, this manages not to be a blow to the narrative: on further reflection, I think it might actually work in concert with the dialogue. What's more, Hickman modulates her tone to make the quitest moments quieter, the most explosive climaxes louder. Angie Hickman has worked so well to give character depth to a rather exciting plot. I could barely put down my phone to stop listening.
November 5, 2014
4 1/2 stars.
Audiobook Review
Wow. There are so many fantastic, original, and fresh aspects in this novel, that it is difficult for me to decide where to begin in my review of Carole Bellacera's "Understudy," narrated by Angie Hickman.
Imagine waking up in the hospital after a terrible car accident to find out that the people most important to you in your life have died or can't be part of your life the way you want them to be. The main character, Amy, finds herself in this predicament with very few options at her disposal. With no family of her own and the only people that Amy believes care about her being her best friends family, a series of misunderstandings and desperation quickly becomes Amy's new reality and a new identity that Amy assumes for herself in hopes of saving the new familial bonds she's made prior to the accident.
Angie Hickman provides a superb narration for "Understudy." Hickman gave each character their own distinctive voice and personality while providing a visual experience with her performance. The personality infused into Hickman's narration made deciphering characters from one another an easy and believable feat.
Audiobook Review
Wow. There are so many fantastic, original, and fresh aspects in this novel, that it is difficult for me to decide where to begin in my review of Carole Bellacera's "Understudy," narrated by Angie Hickman.
Imagine waking up in the hospital after a terrible car accident to find out that the people most important to you in your life have died or can't be part of your life the way you want them to be. The main character, Amy, finds herself in this predicament with very few options at her disposal. With no family of her own and the only people that Amy believes care about her being her best friends family, a series of misunderstandings and desperation quickly becomes Amy's new reality and a new identity that Amy assumes for herself in hopes of saving the new familial bonds she's made prior to the accident.
Angie Hickman provides a superb narration for "Understudy." Hickman gave each character their own distinctive voice and personality while providing a visual experience with her performance. The personality infused into Hickman's narration made deciphering characters from one another an easy and believable feat.
October 20, 2014
Audiobook review. I was given a copy of this for an honest review. I had to make myself listen to the first half of this book. The voices were actually grating on me, the narrator seemed much better towards the end of the book. I felt that the story was nothing special until the author wound up all the loose ends and tied it together. All in all, just okay.
August 8, 2009
Great book, with an ending you won't see coming. I highly recomment it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews