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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This read like a first draft, where nothing was elaborated on and none of the characters felt fully developed—which is a shame, because it had So Much potential. Also, for being a book about college freshmen, the way the characters talked and acted felt dangerously close to Middle Grade, but they also sounded like chronically online internet users (derogatory)??? Idk. It was weird/preachy and, in some parts, unbearably cringe (and I say this as someone who was, and still is, chronically online). The whole thing just felt like it was missing something. Alas 💔
This is my first DNF of this year. I really wanted to like it, I really, REALLY did as a fellow member of the ace community who was really looking forward to this but I just couldn’t.
Really enjoyed “Dear Wendy” for its representation for the ace community and other cultures but that’s about all this story has going for it…
All in all, I think this is a fine debut for Zhao and I am grateful for her contributions to ace representation.
Really enjoyed “Dear Wendy” for its representation for the ace community and other cultures but that’s about all this story has going for it…
All in all, I think this is a fine debut for Zhao and I am grateful for her contributions to ace representation.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some sections of this book are really rough, but you can feel the author was really excited to write this so I’ll let it go. I know there’s someone out there who probably really needed this book.
A fun listen! I learned more about those who identify as aromantic and asexual through the characters in this book. Loved the moderness of the storytelling (e.g. Instagram, texting, and dating apps). Bonus points for the Chinese characters and The Half of It reference!
this was soooo cute! The characters felt flawed and realistic and like actual normal college kids. This book actually made me nostalgic for a college life that I very much did not have so I guess it did the trick. I absolutely loved the diversity of queer representation in this and of course the two main characters who were aroace. I really liked that there were TWO ace main characters and that they didn't experience their sexuality in the same way, and that they were able to show multiple perspectives of similar identities. The plot was so silly and at times definitely a bit on the unrealistic side of things but I'll let it slide because I had a lot of fun with it. This is the kind of book that I think is going to be really meaningful and special to young adults and feeling represented and I'm just very glad it exists!
Also: I started out listening to the audiobook but switched to the ebook a little ways in because I wasn't a huge fan of how the text message/IG stories parts of the book were narrated - I found it a bit hard to follow. But reading it on the ebook definitely fixed that, I liked reading the stylized punctuation and emojis and things lol
Also: I started out listening to the audiobook but switched to the ebook a little ways in because I wasn't a huge fan of how the text message/IG stories parts of the book were narrated - I found it a bit hard to follow. But reading it on the ebook definitely fixed that, I liked reading the stylized punctuation and emojis and things lol
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Appreciated a story about a college friendship. The audiobook was especially good!
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a great book about friendship and it's refreshing to read a book where the main characters don't have everything resolved magically when they find a boyfriend/girlfriend (in this case because the main characters are looking for any kind of romantic partners at all). The relationship dynamics between friends and the fears between how those dynamics might shift as friends get into relationships. Another reason I enjoyed this book was that it was funny there were plenty of points where I laughed out loud.
Dual POV books are hit or miss for me, but I liked the way this one was done! Each chapter was clearly labeled whether it would be Sophie or Jo and the book was split well between both of them so I could get a sense of their characters pretty well.
I appreciated how in the conversations with Sophie's mom, some of the dialogue was left in pinyin and not directly translated (it was clear what's being said from context for anyone reading who does not know Chinese!)
Dual POV books are hit or miss for me, but I liked the way this one was done! Each chapter was clearly labeled whether it would be Sophie or Jo and the book was split well between both of them so I could get a sense of their characters pretty well.
I appreciated how in the conversations with Sophie's mom, some of the dialogue was left in pinyin and not directly translated (it was clear what's being said from context for anyone reading who does not know Chinese!)
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
oh wow, so much to unpack here!
ima try and leave a very honest review.
first off some negative things that stuck out to me:
- i missed some depth in the characters. i feel like we didnt get to know much abt them aside from what was necessary for the plot. more scenes like jo asking their moms to pick them up or sophies talks with professor fineman; stuff like that to show us what theyre actually like
- as a non-native speaker and also someone who never went to an american highschool- some abbreviations were confusing to me. i wouldve loved it if thered been an index or sth so i could just go back there to remind myself what it stands for
- i wouldve liked to read some more convos. i feel like they were summarised most of the times and i feel like writing some of them out wouldve given us a better picture of what the characters are like. or maybe some inner monologues about something off-topic, f.e. their weird hobbies/quirks. all the “unimportened information” no one would ask to know about
and heres what made me give this book 5 stars:
- aro AND ace characters???? a-spec rep???? 99.9% queer!! (we love and see you, theo) im soo happy
- a FRIENDSHIP thats the main plot? cant remember the last time i read a book abt a non-romantic main plot, this made me soooo happy!
- it feels so relatable! thoughts, concerns, insecurities.
- the characters are soooo cute, i was literally squeeling at times, i feel a little silly
- the acc-idea is soooo good! especially since most a-spec ppl i know end up in a weird relationship-adviser position not knowing why anyone wants suggestions from THEM of all people. and honestly all the thoughts and explanations in the story are so on point. i was just happy reading about all of this
- this whole story is just a hppy vibe. idk how to explain it, its just wholesome
- the bracelet scene???? i was a sobbing mess!!
- and when they talked about how its hard when your identity is basically about NOT having/experiencing something? i felt soo seen! this is a convo ive had quite a couple of times!
- a friend of mine asked me once why most ppl were understanding when a person went through a breakup. like how theyre all “its okay to be really heartbroken, take your time. of course i wont judge if you dont leave ypur bed for three days! its gonna be okay. itll take time but it will be okay, dont worry!” but when being told that someone is going through a friend-breakup its more of a “dont be a baby about it, you’ll find another friens”. and honestly, it stuck with me. friendships or any type of love can be a reason for a heartbreak. it doesnt have to be romantical to hurt very bad. and i feel like the strength of platonic relationships was really well represented within this story, how important and valid they are.
- this feels closest to another aroace person reassuring me that im not alone in the way im feeling that ive had this far. it feels like the a-spec community is finally finding thir ways to one another and its making me so happy
- lastly—i just have to mention it—the acknowledgment was so cute. i feel like that was a very sincere note and i loved it!
so yeah, thats my review! definitely would recommend! i loved the book and i hope to see more work by Ann Zhao soon!
ima try and leave a very honest review.
first off some negative things that stuck out to me:
- i missed some depth in the characters. i feel like we didnt get to know much abt them aside from what was necessary for the plot. more scenes like jo asking their moms to pick them up or sophies talks with professor fineman; stuff like that to show us what theyre actually like
- as a non-native speaker and also someone who never went to an american highschool- some abbreviations were confusing to me. i wouldve loved it if thered been an index or sth so i could just go back there to remind myself what it stands for
- i wouldve liked to read some more convos. i feel like they were summarised most of the times and i feel like writing some of them out wouldve given us a better picture of what the characters are like. or maybe some inner monologues about something off-topic, f.e. their weird hobbies/quirks. all the “unimportened information” no one would ask to know about
and heres what made me give this book 5 stars:
- aro AND ace characters???? a-spec rep???? 99.9% queer!! (we love and see you, theo) im soo happy
- a FRIENDSHIP thats the main plot? cant remember the last time i read a book abt a non-romantic main plot, this made me soooo happy!
- it feels so relatable! thoughts, concerns, insecurities.
- the characters are soooo cute, i was literally squeeling at times, i feel a little silly
- the acc-idea is soooo good! especially since most a-spec ppl i know end up in a weird relationship-adviser position not knowing why anyone wants suggestions from THEM of all people. and honestly all the thoughts and explanations in the story are so on point. i was just happy reading about all of this
- this whole story is just a hppy vibe. idk how to explain it, its just wholesome
- the bracelet scene???? i was a sobbing mess!!
- and when they talked about how its hard when your identity is basically about NOT having/experiencing something? i felt soo seen! this is a convo ive had quite a couple of times!
- a friend of mine asked me once why most ppl were understanding when a person went through a breakup. like how theyre all “its okay to be really heartbroken, take your time. of course i wont judge if you dont leave ypur bed for three days! its gonna be okay. itll take time but it will be okay, dont worry!” but when being told that someone is going through a friend-breakup its more of a “dont be a baby about it, you’ll find another friens”. and honestly, it stuck with me. friendships or any type of love can be a reason for a heartbreak. it doesnt have to be romantical to hurt very bad. and i feel like the strength of platonic relationships was really well represented within this story, how important and valid they are.
- this feels closest to another aroace person reassuring me that im not alone in the way im feeling that ive had this far. it feels like the a-spec community is finally finding thir ways to one another and its making me so happy
- lastly—i just have to mention it—the acknowledgment was so cute. i feel like that was a very sincere note and i loved it!
so yeah, thats my review! definitely would recommend! i loved the book and i hope to see more work by Ann Zhao soon!
such a sweet read, platonic love is one of my absolute favorite things and I love the historically women’s college representation :)