While browsing a list of books that will be released in May, I was surprised to see the cover for In the Bag by Kate Klise. I instantly recognized the girl on the cover because she is the same girl who is on the cover of A Weekend with Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly. Honestly, I couldn't believe my eyes. I've never seen two covers so similar before with a girl in the exact same dress and exact same shoes. The only difference is that a passport was added to her hand on the cover of In the Bag. A Weekend with Mr. Darcy was released on July 1, 2011 from Sourcebooks, and In the Bag will be released on May 1, 2012 from William Morrow. Obviously, whoever created the cover for In the Bag isn't very familiar with this genre because A Weekend with Mr. Darcy is a popular book. This situation is a good example of why illustrated covers are the way to go. They have one-of-a-kind designs with artwork specifically for each individual book without including any stock images that could wind up on another book's cover. That being said, I do like both of these covers, and I know the covers don't add to or take away from the stories inside. But I still don't think this should have happened. They're just too similar. Every book deserves a unique cover.

What do you think of the same cover girl on two different books by two different authors? Does it matter? Have you seen this happen before with other books?

UPDATE: It was just pointed out to me on Facebook by Chick Lit Club that there is another book with this girl on the cover! The Canadian version of The Single Girl's To-Do List by Lindsey Kelk has the same image. So, there are three now... let us know if you see another cover with this girl!

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