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a_ab's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Even with some of the YA-lit treatment simplifications, this is a very complex and nuanced book, which manages a skillful discussion and illustration of a multitude of real issues, concerns, and cultural realities. Yet, while accomplishing all that, - and this is the most impressive bit, - it also manages to stay true to the characters, their emotions and relative ages.
I was prepared to not finish this book when I started reading it - mostly because I didn't think it would fit my mood at the time. The book was due at the library, so I decided to give it a go before returning it - just to get an idea of whether I should plan to check it out again... I finished it in one sitting, staying up too long to do it. This is not a high stakes thriller by any stretch, but the raw emotions in this book rang so true that I got ridiculously invested in the lives of these characters.
This is also not an easy or fluffy read, despite the technical subject matter affiliation with young love and lack of tragedies or real drama on page. The story is very slice-of-life and matter-of-fact in tone, but it hits all the right notes to have an impressive impact.
I am extremely surprised and very much impressed.
I was prepared to not finish this book when I started reading it - mostly because I didn't think it would fit my mood at the time. The book was due at the library, so I decided to give it a go before returning it - just to get an idea of whether I should plan to check it out again... I finished it in one sitting, staying up too long to do it. This is not a high stakes thriller by any stretch, but the raw emotions in this book rang so true that I got ridiculously invested in the lives of these characters.
This is also not an easy or fluffy read, despite the technical subject matter affiliation with young love and lack of tragedies or real drama on page. The story is very slice-of-life and matter-of-fact in tone, but it hits all the right notes to have an impressive impact.
I am extremely surprised and very much impressed.
cushneramy's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
rfish0615's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Eating disorder
charmaineac's review against another edition
2.0
This was not my favourite book, at no fault of the author. I didn't like living in Jocelyn's head (although I bet she didn't either).
I appreciate the message that it's "okay to not be okay." But like... couldn't anyone in this story be okay? Because as much as mental health issues are normalized these days, I think it's also good to demonstrate that people can be stable without professional help. Maybe Priya? But seriously, we ran the gamut of ADHD, depression, anxiety, and anorexia. I don't know if I believe this idea that "Everyone has demons" and "Everyone has a problem that can be labelled."
I also felt that some of these characters were a bit flat, like Mr. Wu. The accents felt like caricatures. Mostly, I felt ashamed that I couldn't understand the pinyin despite being Chinese (my fault!). I was pleasantly surprised by some of the demonstrations of parental support by the end though.
The one contradiction that bugged me a TON throughout the story was Jocelyn's perspective on Utica. She kept lamenting that all she wanted was to "get out of this town" and "not be tied to the restaurant forever." Um, that's literally what your parents were proposing at the start of the book, by moving to New York City?? Why did you go on this giant campaign to stay and save the restaurant? It was illogical, and I don't support the idea of writing off the contradiction as a byproduct of Jocelyn's own inconsistency.
I appreciate the message that it's "okay to not be okay." But like... couldn't anyone in this story be okay? Because as much as mental health issues are normalized these days, I think it's also good to demonstrate that people can be stable without professional help. Maybe Priya? But seriously, we ran the gamut of ADHD, depression, anxiety, and anorexia. I don't know if I believe this idea that "Everyone has demons" and "Everyone has a problem that can be labelled."
I also felt that some of these characters were a bit flat, like Mr. Wu. The accents felt like caricatures. Mostly, I felt ashamed that I couldn't understand the pinyin despite being Chinese (my fault!). I was pleasantly surprised by some of the demonstrations of parental support by the end though.
The one contradiction that bugged me a TON throughout the story was Jocelyn's perspective on Utica. She kept lamenting that all she wanted was to "get out of this town" and "not be tied to the restaurant forever." Um, that's literally what your parents were proposing at the start of the book, by moving to New York City?? Why did you go on this giant campaign to stay and save the restaurant? It was illogical, and I don't support the idea of writing off the contradiction as a byproduct of Jocelyn's own inconsistency.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
This is essentially an average YA romance but I'm giving an extra star because it's set in my home city. There were two points I'd quibble with but nothing that people not from the area wouldn't know, and there are places mentioned that certainly prove the author grew up there! When I told my father about the premise, his first comment was that no, Chinese restaurants do not do well there and applauded the realism.
The discussion of teen depression is very well done, showing it can manifest in different ways and that coping by yourself isn't always the best policy. I particularly loved the author's inclusion of her story and resources at the back (there are times, and this is one of them, when I wish that were at the start of the book not after!).
ARC provided by publisher.
The discussion of teen depression is very well done, showing it can manifest in different ways and that coping by yourself isn't always the best policy. I particularly loved the author's inclusion of her story and resources at the back (there are times, and this is one of them, when I wish that were at the start of the book not after!).
ARC provided by publisher.
jillyfay's review against another edition
5.0
This covered a lot: POC, dating from different racial backgrounds, mental health, first generation families. Sensitive topics were handled well. Things were resolved well-ish. The way the stories were told was a bit disjointed but well done.
witherswriters's review against another edition
4.0
THIS IS MY BRAIN IN LOVE is honest, powerful, and real. It tackles the tough issues of mental health and race head-on with two snappy, quippy, and beautifully damaged protagonists and one swoon-worthy roller coaster of a relationship. A must-read for anyone who has ever felt small, out of control, or insane in a world that doesn't honor mental health as physical OR anyone (because it's a phenomenal book that sheds light on the reality of mental health issues and how they affect and inhibit everyday life).
snchard's review against another edition
4.0
This whole book was an emotional rollercoaster! Came for the food porn and adorable romance, stayed for the amazingly accurate description of intrusive thoughts/depression/anxiety (and also the food porn). Reading it was also kind of a bizarre experience because it takes place in Utica and I'm familiar with all the the landmarks they were talking about. It kept throwing me off, because it's described as kind of a podunk town with little diversity, but there's a huge refugee population in Utica and many restaurants with international cuisine. It would make more sense to me (but probably not the majority of readers) if the Wu family saw competition from other small Asian restaurants, or found their niche among the Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Burmese restaurants common in Utica.
theatre_reader123's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
stacylharmon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75