The Stand-In

When Brooks volunteered to be a stand-in for Burdette's cousin who got stood up for Homecoming, it was with the noblest of intentions helping a fellow human being, free of charge. But when he gets a tip of more than three hundred bucks, word spreads quickly and Brooks seizes the opportunity to offer his impeccable escort services to super-wealthy parents who want their daughters to experience those big social events of senior year. Besides, Brooks could use the cash to hire a tutor to get admitted to Columbia University. So what if along the way he goes along with a few minor deceptions and cuts a few moral corners? What could be the harm?

“"Brooks Rattigan has one goal in mind: get in to Columbia. He knows it is a long shot; his verbal SAT score could use a serious boost, he does not have much in the way of extracurriculars, and he comes from Pritchard, New Jersey, with a no-good, dope-smoking dad. Despite knowing the odds are not in his favor, Brooks is willing to do whatever it takes to make Columbia happen, and step one is finding a job that is better than working at the town's sandwich with his best friend Murf. So begins Brooks's lucrative position as 'the stand-in.' After offering to go to a winter formal with the wealthy cousin of a classmate, the calls start pouring in with offers to attend dances and parties with other wealthy socialites who, for one reason or another, are unable to secure a date on their own. Brooks is a natural, and before he knows it, every weekend is booked with an event to attend. All the while, he is focused on raising his SAT scores and obsessing over his looming Columbia application. Will Columbia be in his future? Will he draw a line about what he is willing to do for a quick buck? The Stand-In has humor, romance, and a definite dose of fun, and is a good choice for reluctant readers willing to deal with the SAT vocabulary thrown in throughout the story. Brooks is not the most likeable character, but he is a male protagonist in a semi-romantic young adult title, which is not a common thing. Beyond that, the story itself feels a bit flat, plodding along from dance to dance. The story contains foul language, drug use, underage drinking, and descriptive sexual encounters. This is recommended for libraries looking for books that will appeal to those who want both an easy and a fun read, and, perhaps, those looking for a male lead in a romance."VOYA”

"The Stand-In has humor, romance, and a definite dose of fun, and is a good choice for reluctant readers . . . . This is recommended for libraries looking for books that will appeal to those who want both an easy and a fun read, and, perhaps, those looking for a male lead in a romance."—VOYA

"This tale will resonate with young adults looking for a unique coming-of-age story. . . . A purchase for libraries where realistic fiction . . . titles are in demand."—School Library Journal

"The breakneck pace and snappy writing keeps this humorous caper moving . . . and the sometimes crass but good-hearted hero at its center is worth rooting for."—Booklist

"In his debut novel, screenwriter Bloom gives Brooks a strikingly irreverent narrative voice, weaving a tale built around standard rom-com moments."—Publishers Weekly

Steve Bloom has written TV and movie screenplays for more than 30 years. The Stand-In is his first novel. He lives in western Massachusetts with his wife and their French bulldog.

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