I Now Pronounce You Someone Else

The Characters

Bronwen Oliver aka Phoebe Lillywhite

Jared Sondervan

The Story

This is a coming of age tale that is equal parts cute, emotional and fun.

The Random Thoughts

4 Stars ( )

Recommended

The main character in this story is Bronwen and the book starts out with her story of how she wishes she were someone else. She went as far as naming herself, Phoebe Lillywhite, and inventing a new family. Bronwen and her best friend, Kirsten, spend a lot of time talking about boys and family drama. One day, when they are talking about Bronwen’s ex-boyfriend, a cute boy walks into the coffee shop. Jared Sondervan and Bronwen have met before through Bronwen’s brother, however, they are a bit older now and he asks her out. They go on a few dates and pretty soon the relationship is moving along quickly. One of the significant points of this book is that Bronwen has pledged to save her virginity until marriage. This is the reason for her first break up. Bronwen and Jared fall in love and they have to decide between college and/or marriage and how it could all work.

One of the first details that stood out to me in this book was that it took place in Michigan. The author was definitely familiar with East Grand Rapids and Hope College. It was a bit of a slow start at first and it wasn’t until a few chapters in that I started getting into it. The story has a bit of a conservative slant to it because of the character wanting to save her virginity until marriage. The idea of getting married right after high school could be a discussion point. I also think that some of the emotional issues like step-parents, parents not understanding teen issues, high school and college decisions, best friends, boyfriends; are all a part of Bronwen’s journey throughout the story. When the main character finally decides what is best for her, I think most readers will agree. There are a few twists that will keep you wanting to finish the story and I think that the ending will satisfy most readers. It’s a lighter read that is perfect for the summer. The writing style is informal and some of the details are quirky. As a high school librarian, I would not hesitate to recommend this fun romance to girls ages 13 and up. ( )

So at first I had no idea what I was going to think of this book. But things ran into high gear after the first chapter and did not let up until the end! I was really shocked at how much I loved this book. It is not just a romance like the description might suggest on the surface of things. Bronwen has REALLY deep-seated family issues and feels shut out emotionally and disconnected from her brother and her mother. She was really close to her Stepdad for the first five years after he married her mother and actually thought of him as her father. But due t miscommunications and heavy silences that relationship has broken down a lot as well. Bronwen really is in love with Jared, but because of the way her family life is, she goes rushing headlong into the relationship and losing herself inside of it. I won't give away the ending, suffice it to say that things do magically get 'all better' and end with a neatly tied up happily ever after. But they do end in a way that is true to real life and this scarily believable story. I am now in love with this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants a swoony romance, major family drama and an awesome heroine. ( )

What a perfect book to read around Valentine’s Day. I loved I Now Pronounce You Someone Else, but anyone who knows my reading style and what makes me squee, knows I’m a sap for this kind of stuff. I find it pretty, lovely and overall just beauteous!

The characters were great in this story. Bronwen really resonated with me. She’s sharp, funny, slightly broken and full of hopes and dreams. I respected her morals and how she stood by what she believed in. Grant it, it’s a bit unrealistic in today’s day and age, but heck, she’d standing by her beliefs, so good for her. I don’t even know where to start with Jared. GUSH!!SQUEE!!AWW!!TEAR!!SIGH!! I lurved everything about him, and he’s my perfect fictional character. His way with words and his sincerity had me sighing and smiling like a goof every time he opened his mouth! Gah! Oh and that first kiss. Holy smokes! What a kiss! Repeat! Repeat! That was one of the best written moments in the love department.

Another character I really came to care for was Bronwen’s stepfather Whitt. What a sweetheart!! I lurved him to pieces in a paternal sort of way, and that moment when Bronwen and Whitt discovered the truth about the “papers” had me on the verge of tears. Again, another perfectly written moment. I didn’t like Bronwen’s mom at all, but I’m pretty sure she was written that way. I never came to care for Peter and I wondered why he kept himself at a distance, some additional insight on that character would have been nice, but definitely not a deal breaker.

The storyline was original and well presented as Bronwen struggles to discover who she really is after the death of her father. She calls herself Pheobe Lillywhite (Gawd! I loved that name, as it reminds me of someone dear to me… ahem…ahem… Hannah *wink*) and waits for the day her real family will come to pick her up as she’s convinced she was switched at birth. Along comes Jared and a whirlwind romance ensues with all the perfect moments of first love. However, they are at different points in their life and after a commitment that had me fall off my chair, Bronwen soon realizes she needs to find herself before she becomes someone else’s.

Here is one book I would have loved to read an epilogue for. I can pretty much imagine my own ending, but putting it to paper makes it more real. Overall, what a fun, light romance in the YA genre that really hit home in so many ways! Perfectly done. Loved it!!

Favorite Quote
”I never promise what I can’t keep. So good night Bronwen. Sleep well... Dream of me.” Jared said.

Song Choice - Jared to Bronwen: Calling You – Blue October ( )

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU SOMEONE ELSE, by Eric McCahan, quickly became one of my favorite contemporary fiction books of this year. I immediately fell in love with Bronwen. She was intelligent and a bit of a dreamer (not unlike myself). I could see where she mistook herself for being switch at birth and I laughed at the many situations that she concocted to explain who her family could really be.

The relationship between Bronwen and Jared was straight out of a historical fiction. Jared was an absolute gentleman and did everything a perfect boyfriend should. The engagement was not rushed in my eyes, at least from his stand point. He was not unlike her and wanted to be an 'US' as soon as possible.

I admit I fell for this perfect romance just like Bronwen did, but when paths for the future were being laid before her, she needed to take a step back and really think about where she wanted to be. McCahan weaved this beautiful love story about a girl who was anything but whole and pushed her to examine what she actually needed to become herself before being an 'US'.

The ending was left open but leaves much room for interpretation and examination at its conclusion. I highly recommend this book, and I am excited to read more from this really talented author. ( )