As I Am

By: AnnaLisa Grant

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of The Lake Trilogy comes a story about what it means to be truly seen...and to be taken just as you are.

"You're not invisible. You're invaluable."

When Kinley Carmichael looks in the mirror, she doesn't see her blonde-haired, blue-eyed, size four twin sister. She sees her dark-haired, brown-eyed, size 12 self.

Kinley and her twin sister, Addison, are excited to start their second summer as counselors at The Camp at Lake Hollis. All Kinley wants is to earn enough money to meet up with her mother, so they travel the world as professional photographers. All Addison wants is to work on her tan, seduce a boy, and build her fashion budget. And while Kinley and Addison couldn't be more opposite, nothing has ever stopped them from being the best of friends.

It's an especially great summer for Kinley as the official camp photographer with Notre Dame Quarterback Cal Harper showing interest in her. But when artist Miller Conrad arrives and rejects Addison's advances, showing more interest in Kinley, true colors will shine and the sisters' bond will be tested.

As Kinley and Miller's connection deepens, Kinley feels like she can truly be herself without the internal scrutiny she's developed in the shadow of her sister. But when Kinley inadvertently uncovers a terrible secret, Miller is left facing the demons of his own reasons for coming to Lake Hollis.

What was supposed to be the greatest summer of Kinley's life turns out to be more life-changing than she ever imagined.

©2014 AnnaLisa Grant (P)2015 AnnaLisa Grant

Perfection

This beautiful book outlines the growth journey of twin Kinley and Addison as they struggle to come to terms with body image issues, identity and the 'self-chatter' that too often blocks us from being truly content and happy. This book tells us loud and clear that our self-worth must be based on our heart and soul instead of our outer appearance.

In parallel two young males, quarterback Cal Harper and artist Miller Conrad and between the two of them, some devastating and heartbreaking issues arise.

There are so many adorable and interesting side characters, not the least being Margaret and Amy, all handled expertly by narrator Stacey Glemboski.

This is a clean read though if young teens are reading it, though inspiring, an adult to discuss it with is recommended. I could imagine this being an amazing bookclub read for teens and heck it is amazing for all ages

Hate the cover. Story is okay. Stellar narration.

This book could have been awesome. At its core, it could have been a great platform to show YA's that who they are, not how they look, is important. However, it missed the mark.

Kinley was obviously the good twin, albeit clueless. Addison was the bad twin but beautiful so who cares. Kinley spent waaaaaaaay too much of this book conforming to what Addison wants for her, and believing Addison knew best, that I had to put the listen down and walk away. Nobody can be that clueless. And yet, as the story continues and Kinley should have known better already, she does not. She was hard to take.

I should have known that this listen would be challenging with this horrible cover creative. Seriously! If not for the narrator, I would have passed on this book for that reason alone.

Glemboski really is the only great thing about this listen. Her narration was flawless and even though the words coming out of Kinley's mouth were cringey, you can't fault the narrator.

This book really had so much promise...