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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
4.5 stars. I loveddd this book, mostly because it made me think in depth about feminism and performative activism all while maintaining an interesting plot. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was well-written and dynamic, and I couldn’t tear myself away.
Omg this book. I went in blind, totally smitten by the cover and now I'm just a mess.. there's a reason why ya romance peaks. Okay. No but seriously. This book delivered. Eliza, as even the author has mentioned, is not a likeable protagonist. (I love her) the book deals with a lots of themes surrounding feminism. Eliza, just like i was a couple years ago, thought being a feminist meant renouncing everything feminine. So that's what she tries to do. There are some instances in the book that really stood out to me. Like the kids at school calling her a feminazi. Boys saying just because she likes a dude she's not a feminist anymore. The scene at the baseball game where one guy said stop throwing like a girl and no one batted an eye. THIS ALL HAPPENS. And we ignore it. It's so true that women, in order to be given leadership roles have a very narrow margin to err as compared to a man. And then they're called a bitch or uptight. Eliza, with all her stumbling and mess ups, slowly understands the under-running themes of being a feminist. It's beautiful. The writing is so so good. Such a refreshing read. ALSO LEN IS SO FUCKING DREAMY. IT'S NOT FAIR. THAT DUDE READS OKAY.
”You’re nothing if you can’t do the right thing.”
Not a masterpiece, but rather something entertaining enough to make you forget about how real life can be monotonous.
What I thought was going to happen, happened. All. The. Time. There wasn’t even a little twist that makes you straighten up from your seat and focus on the next words of the page because your mind can’t believe what’s happening. The theme is an excuse to make this book interesting, as it doesn’t really dive into it, which is why I would rather see it as movie than a book. I don’t mind when movies are that shallow.
Obviously, the trope of academic rivals to lovers isn’t for me, but if you’re looking for a chill, teenage, with not a lot of drama romance, this is for you!
Not a masterpiece, but rather something entertaining enough to make you forget about how real life can be monotonous.
What I thought was going to happen, happened. All. The. Time. There wasn’t even a little twist that makes you straighten up from your seat and focus on the next words of the page because your mind can’t believe what’s happening. The theme is an excuse to make this book interesting, as it doesn’t really dive into it, which is why I would rather see it as movie than a book. I don’t mind when movies are that shallow.
Obviously, the trope of academic rivals to lovers isn’t for me, but if you’re looking for a chill, teenage, with not a lot of drama romance, this is for you!
This was really cute. I liked set up of the story and enjoyed how everything played out.
Everyone loves a girlboss until she tries to tell you what to do.
★★★★★
give me a cute couple i can get attached to and i’ll slap five stars on it — i loved Eliza and Len together so much (him lending out his book to her?📘 boba dates?🧋 help? my standards are so low?)
but in all seriousness, i really loved this book. from the immensely diverse cast to the ongoing struggles of an Asian immigrant child to, of course, the conversation about feminism and internalized misogyny
if you’ve read Moxie, you’ll probably notice that the issue of feminism is tackled in a similar style, so i felt like there weren’t necessarily any amazingly new and innovative actions being taken, then yet again, being in high school does limit things for them. but i liked how it simply shows a very realistic view on how things are, and how people unconsciously react (usually negatively) to only one side of the story
Eliza’s home life felt especially familiar with the use of Cantonese, since i speak that with my parents too. there were so many other relatable situations — checking the grocery store receipt while still in store, helping parents with more ‘official’ documents etc — all this Asian-kid survival but also knowing the trouble our parents went through hit very close to home for me
i binged this in a day and i regret nothing because this was honestly such an enjoyable YA romcom contemporary 💙
★★★★★
give me a cute couple i can get attached to and i’ll slap five stars on it — i loved Eliza and Len together so much (him lending out his book to her?📘 boba dates?🧋 help? my standards are so low?)
but in all seriousness, i really loved this book. from the immensely diverse cast to the ongoing struggles of an Asian immigrant child to, of course, the conversation about feminism and internalized misogyny
if you’ve read Moxie, you’ll probably notice that the issue of feminism is tackled in a similar style, so i felt like there weren’t necessarily any amazingly new and innovative actions being taken, then yet again, being in high school does limit things for them. but i liked how it simply shows a very realistic view on how things are, and how people unconsciously react (usually negatively) to only one side of the story
Eliza’s home life felt especially familiar with the use of Cantonese, since i speak that with my parents too. there were so many other relatable situations — checking the grocery store receipt while still in store, helping parents with more ‘official’ documents etc — all this Asian-kid survival but also knowing the trouble our parents went through hit very close to home for me
i binged this in a day and i regret nothing because this was honestly such an enjoyable YA romcom contemporary 💙
YA definitely needs more diverse options, and NOT HERE TO BE LIKED certainly delivers. Eliza's journey as the daughter of immigrants is such a needed POV in the genre.
Is Eliza likeable? Not really. Did I identify with her prickly exterior and need to excel? Yes.
I didn't really feel like we got enough back story about Len, though -- why is he attracted to someone who basically hates him?
The best part is the strong female friendships and interesting side plots happening throughout.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
Is Eliza likeable? Not really. Did I identify with her prickly exterior and need to excel? Yes.
I didn't really feel like we got enough back story about Len, though -- why is he attracted to someone who basically hates him?
The best part is the strong female friendships and interesting side plots happening throughout.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
funny
inspiring
medium-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:
Yes
What I liked: Thoughtful and interesting conversations on feminism, played out real time by teenagers who are normal and messy and learning; an "unlikable" protagonist with ambition who knows what she wants; the start of a reckoning towards how women are perceived
What I didn't like: I was never sold on the romance, and truthfully didn't need it. I would have liked it more without Len being involved; the female friendships were weakly portrayed and not very nuanced. And personally, felt like a real lack of conclusion. Obviously feminism can't be disseminated in one fiction book, but I felt friendship and family storylines wrapped without much fanfare or follow-up
Even so, this was a great read and definitely a good introductory story to young readers looking to explore the grayness of their ideals and morals, and to get them thinking about their own behaviors and actions.
What I didn't like: I was never sold on the romance, and truthfully didn't need it. I would have liked it more without Len being involved; the female friendships were weakly portrayed and not very nuanced. And personally, felt like a real lack of conclusion. Obviously feminism can't be disseminated in one fiction book, but I felt friendship and family storylines wrapped without much fanfare or follow-up
Even so, this was a great read and definitely a good introductory story to young readers looking to explore the grayness of their ideals and morals, and to get them thinking about their own behaviors and actions.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was INCREDIBLE! I absolutely loved it. The feminism, the characters, the growth. It was all fantastic! I haven't read a book that described the complexities of feminism that wasn't nonfiction in a very long time. Quach really crafted a winner here! This was fantastic. Eliza is smart, funny, and an overall really great character. I love how the romance in this developed. It seemed so natural, yet still had its challenges. This book really is a love letter in a way to not compromise who you are for those around you.
I think the writing in this was superb! There were so many moments my heart ached, I learned, I grew with Eliza as the book went on. It was really fantastic. I loved the way Len was written as well. He was such a great character. I'm a such for rivals to lovers and this one fit the bill to a tee. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. If you're looking for a YA contemporary but also is complex and teaches you something, while giving you feels- this is the book for you!
This was INCREDIBLE! I absolutely loved it. The feminism, the characters, the growth. It was all fantastic! I haven't read a book that described the complexities of feminism that wasn't nonfiction in a very long time. Quach really crafted a winner here! This was fantastic. Eliza is smart, funny, and an overall really great character. I love how the romance in this developed. It seemed so natural, yet still had its challenges. This book really is a love letter in a way to not compromise who you are for those around you.
I think the writing in this was superb! There were so many moments my heart ached, I learned, I grew with Eliza as the book went on. It was really fantastic. I loved the way Len was written as well. He was such a great character. I'm a such for rivals to lovers and this one fit the bill to a tee. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. If you're looking for a YA contemporary but also is complex and teaches you something, while giving you feels- this is the book for you!