Andrea J. Stein

TYPECAST is a sweet, endearing read about a girl who is wondering if her college love should be back in her life. I’m sure we have all wondered if we made the right decision back in the day, and this book explores those feelings so well.
Our heroine Callie is 31 and unattached. Her family and friends are encouraging her to get out in the world and explore new relationships, however, Callie is reluctant to let go of the feelings she has for her college love, Ethan. It is noted early in the book that she broke up with him abruptly, and the author kept me interested by not explaining Callie’s reasons for doing so. The book switches points of view from “before”, which is told in first person perspective during Callie and Ethan’s college years, then “after”, which takes place many years after graduation and is told in third person perspective. I enjoyed reading Callie’s inner thoughts, which adds depth to the “after” narrative. I was unsure as to root for Callie and Ethan to get back together, or to hope that she hits it off with Ben, an architect that she meets later in the book.
All the characters feel real: Callie’s Type-A pregnant sister, her overbearing mother, and Callie’s many girlfriends. The dialogue between Callie and her girlfriends are spot-on – the gossip, encouragement, and bonding are all written well and made me smile.
Callie is a preschool teacher, who shows her nurturing side and makes her more appealing to the reader. She has a wonderful relationship with her young niece throughout the book, and some of the things that came out of her 4-year-old mouth were hilarious!
As the story progresses, the reader can see how Callie is maturing from the “before” days when she was joined at the hip with Ethan. The plot progresses with a will-she-or-won’t-she story arc about plans to meet up with her ex, which should hold the reader’s interest and keep those pages turning quickly. As I eagerly tore through the book, I had no idea who Callie would choose to be with, nor was I sure who would be the best match for her – old, sweet memories with Ethan or the chance to make new ones with Ben. This, to me, is the appeal of TYPECAST. The author did her best to encourage the reader to make their own opinion about the men in Callie’s life, while looking forward to see what choice she made.
TYPECAST is an excellent first novel! I could totally see this in movie form now that I am writing this review. It would surely be a standout rom-com that everyone would love.
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In her debut novel, Typecast, author Andrea J. Stein transports the reader to Brook Hill, New Jersey, to follow the journey of self-discovery for thirty-one year old preschool teacher Callie Dressler.

For the past seven years, Callie Dressler has been living in her parent's house, and going about her life as a preschool teacher. Her life is upended when her older pregnant sister Nina, husband Michael, and four year old daughter Zoe move in with her temporarily while their house undergoes renovations. And if that isn't enough to send her in a tizzy, she finds out in her college alumni newsletter that her ex-college boyfriend Ethan Rendel, a Hollywood screenwriter, has written a screenplay for a feature film called Rerouting that is based on their breakup ten years ago. Faced with upheaval on the homefront, and wondering about her past and choices made, Callie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and learns to put the past behind her in order to move forward with her life.

In Typecast, author Andrea J. Stein easily captivates her readers' attention with this wonderful story that engages the reader to follow along as Callie's journey of self-reflection about her past: the choices made and roads not taken, leads her down the path of self-discovery, and a coming to terms with the past, and coming full circle.

Callie's story is told alternating with the past (college years) and present in a seamless and flowing storyline, and with engaging characters who draw you into their lives with a strong emotional pull, along with their complexities, flaws and secrets.

Throughout the story, Callie is challenged with family issues in the present, while revisiting her past college relationship with Ethan, and the choices that she made ten years ago, and how in the present she discovers that her life has been in a rut, and that it's time to put the past where it belongs, and move forward with her life. I couldn't help but feel an emotional tug as Callie's past unfolds, you just can't help but feel Callie's angst, and have compassion for her, it will definitely pull at your heartstrings. I love how the alternating past / present storyline goes hand-in-hand, it kept the story moving along with surprising twists and turns that will leave you with a smile on your face.

The reader will be kept engaged as this wonderful story unfolds. With a cast of interesting characters, Typecast is a compelling story about love, friendship, family, relationships, and second chances in life.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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