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mamas_gotta_read's review against another edition
2.0
At its heart, this story was a narrative on the high school experience and the MC’s struggle in never feeling good enough. In general, I found this book rather anticlimactic and it was unclear what the point of the story was. The story touches on racism, identity, family pressure, sex, and relationships, but never gives any of those topics top billing in the story and it’s a bit difficult to determine what the goal of the story is. While I didn’t LOVE the MC, I enjoyed her voice, and I appreciated that her story is one that many high school students can relate to.
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Peachtree Teen. All opinions are my own.
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Peachtree Teen. All opinions are my own.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
3.0
A high school senior navigates an overbearing and judgmental mother, a string of relationships and a looming future with no clue of what she wants to do.
literarilyjess's review against another edition
5.0
Ohhhh this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint. BOYS I KNOW is sharp and funny and heartfelt, and June is such a compelling narrator. What a wonderful debut!
aharper07's review against another edition
3.0
June is a Taiwanese-American navigating her last year of high school from boys, her parents and college, trying to find herself. I had a difficult time getting into this book. I found June to be whiney and rude. She'd let people walk all over them then get mad about somethings and not say anything. When someone called her China and didn't correct them because it's easier than causing problems or drama, but then was upset that they kept calling her China and that they didn't know thr difference of China and Taiwan. She never told the person her nationality. I did find it nice though that when racial or cultural appropriation was brought up with her friends that June DIDN'T feel like she HAD to be the one that said something, that it should be more than just a BIPOC person's responsibility.
kerickertful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
lunar_love_books's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
woodsbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
As a second-born Asian American teenager, June Chu is the “just good enough girl”. And, to be honest, she also doesn’t see the point in trying too hard if she’s destined to fall short, anyway. Unfortunately, her older sister, Wendy, set the bar too high for June, so their parents’ expectations are, to be frank, excessive – plus, her mom is constantly throwing her riddled Chinese proverbs and passive-aggressive remarks for “her own good”. With a low sense of self-worth and easily intoxicated with love, June ends up seeking validation from boys who end up being jerks.
This book is set in that awkward time between not being an adult just yet but having to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life, and that’s something everyone who has already experienced the teen angst years can relate to. It’s uncertain and sometimes painful, but it’s just what it is, and I liked how the author laid it out on us. So, despite coming from a different background than June, her story deeply resonated with me.
Obviously, I know nothing about how Asian parents are, but it hurt a little to see how June felt every time her mom reminded her she has little to no hope or clarity about her future. I also know nothing about trying to figure out who you are while feeling trapped between two totally opposite cultures, Eastern and Western, but I remember how it was when I was June's age and felt the weight of other people's expectations and ended up being frustrated because we can’t (and shouldn’t even try to) please everyone. And, fun fact, even though I barely remember it by now or at least I try not to, I actually played the violin when I was younger, but I just have the worst ear in the world, so in 3 years I never got past “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
Regarding the romantic part of this book, there are three love interests in the story and a few more boys and, sadly, every and each one was a disappointment. I get most of them though, but I just needed a little sunshine (I kept wishing for one, in particular, to do better). Despite that, I liked how the book explores sex realistically: it’s not always the mind-blowing experience it’s made out to be, and I love how June comes to challenge some internalised misogyny surrounding it (even though her first time broke my heart, since the surroundings to the whole dubious consent issue). It’s also worth mentioning the story addresses other important topics, like growing up Taiwanese-American in a predominantly white Midwestern town, not feeling “Asian enough”, racism and microaggressions and cultural appropriation.
It takes time to get there, but this novel is definitely not about the boys June knows. It’s very much about her discovering her identity and sexuality and, ultimately, the love and validation she wants in no one else but herself. I really think she’s well fleshed out, and I love her and her story for it, but it would be even better if there was more character development regarding June’s friendships and relationships. There are also some loose threads I wished were resolved, but I liked the overall message so much that I conceded the 4-stars and will probably re-read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree for providing me with an eARC. I’m leaving this 100% honest review voluntarily.
This book is set in that awkward time between not being an adult just yet but having to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life, and that’s something everyone who has already experienced the teen angst years can relate to. It’s uncertain and sometimes painful, but it’s just what it is, and I liked how the author laid it out on us. So, despite coming from a different background than June, her story deeply resonated with me.
Obviously, I know nothing about how Asian parents are, but it hurt a little to see how June felt every time her mom reminded her she has little to no hope or clarity about her future. I also know nothing about trying to figure out who you are while feeling trapped between two totally opposite cultures, Eastern and Western, but I remember how it was when I was June's age and felt the weight of other people's expectations and ended up being frustrated because we can’t (and shouldn’t even try to) please everyone. And, fun fact, even though I barely remember it by now or at least I try not to, I actually played the violin when I was younger, but I just have the worst ear in the world, so in 3 years I never got past “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
Regarding the romantic part of this book, there are three love interests in the story and a few more boys and, sadly, every and each one was a disappointment. I get most of them though, but I just needed a little sunshine (I kept wishing for one, in particular, to do better). Despite that, I liked how the book explores sex realistically: it’s not always the mind-blowing experience it’s made out to be, and I love how June comes to challenge some internalised misogyny surrounding it (even though her first time broke my heart, since the surroundings to the whole dubious consent issue). It’s also worth mentioning the story addresses other important topics, like growing up Taiwanese-American in a predominantly white Midwestern town, not feeling “Asian enough”, racism and microaggressions and cultural appropriation.
It takes time to get there, but this novel is definitely not about the boys June knows. It’s very much about her discovering her identity and sexuality and, ultimately, the love and validation she wants in no one else but herself. I really think she’s well fleshed out, and I love her and her story for it, but it would be even better if there was more character development regarding June’s friendships and relationships. There are also some loose threads I wished were resolved, but I liked the overall message so much that I conceded the 4-stars and will probably re-read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree for providing me with an eARC. I’m leaving this 100% honest review voluntarily.
abcdevin8's review against another edition
3.0
arc provided by netgalley in exchange of an honest review !
I loved how messy friendship, relationships, parents standards,mysogyny,racism,stereotypes and colleges' life were being discussed in this book. I really enjoyed the first third of this book, however i had to skimmed some part through the end of this book. I understood what the author trying to delivered but the ending was so sudden and we didn't get any explanations on some problems. Some problems were over way too fast without any real solutions.
I enjoyed how accurate the asian parents representation with their high standards especially her mom, and i also learned a lot about chinese proverbs thanks to this book. A solid read for me!
I loved how messy friendship, relationships, parents standards,mysogyny,racism,stereotypes and colleges' life were being discussed in this book. I really enjoyed the first third of this book, however i had to skimmed some part through the end of this book. I understood what the author trying to delivered but the ending was so sudden and we didn't get any explanations on some problems. Some problems were over way too fast without any real solutions.
I enjoyed how accurate the asian parents representation with their high standards especially her mom, and i also learned a lot about chinese proverbs thanks to this book. A solid read for me!
kaycee9181's review against another edition
4.0
Boys I Know. I got this as an ARC and I’m so glad I was able to read this one. Boys I Know was such a good read. I loved the author’s writing style of this one. It flows so well, and I felt like I really related to June in so many of my own high school experiences.
Boys I Know follows high school senior June Chu as she tries to figure out relationships, friendships, and life as a teen. It’s got a lot of great banter and it looks into a lot of Asian American identity and racism. It brings up the topic of Asian racism is several parts. June’s mother wants her to follow in the footsteps of her “perfect” sister Wendy, but June has a hard time following through with that when she feels like she’s going to fail anyway. She decided instead to focus on her relationship with high school crush Rhys as she tries to legitimize their relationship. June has to decided which path she will follow and on who’s terms she will live her life – even if it affects her relationship with her mother forever.
I think I would have absolutely gobbled this book up if I had read it in high school. This is really targeted for teenagers, but I did find myself engaged and interested in June and her story.
It was interesting to see the dynamic between June and her sister Wendy who was the golden child that June felt like she could never live up to which drove her into the arms of boys who didn’t deserve her. Haven’t we all?
I loved the way that June realizes her own mistakes and grew on her own. The character development in this book was so great and while some people said June was kind of whiny, I felt like that fit in with a normal teenager. It was written in a way that didn’t annoy me unlike To All the Boys.
This book has a few triggers to be sure to look those up before reading this one. There’s nonconsensual physical touch and some explicit sex scenes which can be uncomfy in a YA book. It was a little weird for me – but I just kind of skimmed them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for this arc in exchange of an honest review!
Boys I Know follows high school senior June Chu as she tries to figure out relationships, friendships, and life as a teen. It’s got a lot of great banter and it looks into a lot of Asian American identity and racism. It brings up the topic of Asian racism is several parts. June’s mother wants her to follow in the footsteps of her “perfect” sister Wendy, but June has a hard time following through with that when she feels like she’s going to fail anyway. She decided instead to focus on her relationship with high school crush Rhys as she tries to legitimize their relationship. June has to decided which path she will follow and on who’s terms she will live her life – even if it affects her relationship with her mother forever.
I think I would have absolutely gobbled this book up if I had read it in high school. This is really targeted for teenagers, but I did find myself engaged and interested in June and her story.
It was interesting to see the dynamic between June and her sister Wendy who was the golden child that June felt like she could never live up to which drove her into the arms of boys who didn’t deserve her. Haven’t we all?
I loved the way that June realizes her own mistakes and grew on her own. The character development in this book was so great and while some people said June was kind of whiny, I felt like that fit in with a normal teenager. It was written in a way that didn’t annoy me unlike To All the Boys.
This book has a few triggers to be sure to look those up before reading this one. There’s nonconsensual physical touch and some explicit sex scenes which can be uncomfy in a YA book. It was a little weird for me – but I just kind of skimmed them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for this arc in exchange of an honest review!
alybrst's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It was entertaining in a "this is a shit show" kind of way. I liked the ending tho.