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mrsjoylovesbooks's review
2.0
I liked the STEM theme and the details of the app building, but unfortunately I had a difficult time with this book for multiple reasons. I enjoyed A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen, but this one isn’t a book I could recommend.
Thank you to @penguinteen and @netgalley for the complimentary digital ARC and to @PRHAudio for the free ALC.
Thank you to @penguinteen and @netgalley for the complimentary digital ARC and to @PRHAudio for the free ALC.
charireads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mayarelmahdy's review
2.0
1.5/5
I did not enjoy this at all.
I appreciate the author's choice to have a flawed protagonist, but that's about it.
The love story wasn't interesting, the characters were not interesting, and the climax was so frustrating.
I did not enjoy this at all.
I appreciate the author's choice to have a flawed protagonist, but that's about it.
The love story wasn't interesting, the characters were not interesting, and the climax was so frustrating.
kbeddes's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This is a cute story and the conflict feels very high stakes, even though at the end of the day, it's just high school drama. I appreciated the AAPI rep, however the poor/rich dynamic felt very Emma esque and I was over the rich teenager problems. I thought focusing on Etta's story might have been more interesting.
emmreadsbooks's review
4.0
This book was seriously SO fun. As a coder myself, this book was in the flow! I loved the idea of creating a matchmaking app to honor her aunt's business and help highschoolers make new friends, and the whole experience was totally realistic. We additionally got to see the microaggressions and bullying common to teens today. Gigi's friends are really the stars of this book, Kyle and Etta in particular. They really better her as a person and help her grow throughout. Overall this book was a quick and delightful read that I'd recommend to anyone wanting to read a YA contemporary with a bit of STEM and culture coded in.
*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review*
samw0327's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-3.75
The story wasn’t bad, just not amazing. I listened to the audiobook and didn’t love how the voice actor performed the voice for Etta. I found the parents super annoying, but I think I’m missing out on the cultural implications to a certain degree.
The story wasn’t bad, just not amazing. I listened to the audiobook and didn’t love how the voice actor performed the voice for Etta. I found the parents super annoying, but I think I’m missing out on the cultural implications to a certain degree.
booksandpops4000's review
5.0
I adored this read and am so happy I finally got my hands on it! I enjoy book one in this sereis but this emma retelling i loved and adored. I also loved how this book focused so much on the tech industy and app development. I also really loved how this book focused on self discovary and also more on friendship. There is a sneaky romance that thrileld me to no end. I read this book so fast and really thought this book had a nice balance of family, friends, school and romance drama. I really loved this story and loved the caemo we got of the characters from book 1. If you enjoyed tweet cute, def pick this one up! Def a new favorite for me.
ziyuelan's review
2.0
Personally this was kind of a let down. I don’t know if it was the cliche stereotypical parts that bothered me, but I found myself kind inwardly rolling my eyes cause of it. I will say this though. This kind of obvious multicultural representation in YA is much needed and something that I am sure my younger self would’ve loved so much. And for that single reason, I wanna recommend it because the story itself isn’t bad. It’s just not amazing.
The whole story focuses on the typical over-achiever-wants-to-be-valedictorian Chinese American. However she’s rich. And while she isn’t exactly snobbish or entitled, many of the things she says and the ways she acts makes you realize that she’s lived a privileged life. Even being Chinese doesn’t make her feel less than or is discriminated against because of it. And while I don’t wish that, this kind of representation feels a little bit idealized.
The author does mention or broaches topics such as being non-white, the disparity between poor and rich, and being half something and half something else and how that can be difficult. And while it’s not the main topic of this book, it’s talked about in a way that is kind of brushed upon. Because the reality of things (which I’m guessing the author wanted it to be as realistic as possible since she added COVID and the racism the Asian community faced during and post) isn’t as perfect.
And I mostly blame that on the fact that she lives in a bubble of wealth. And no matter what, money will often allow you to not have to go through the same hurdles as others that look the same as you. But I can’t even blame it on that because her best friend, Kyle, who is also part of that wealthy bubble is much more aware than she is. And yes she does learn and stands up in the end for what’s right, I just had a hard time connecting with her as a character.
I’m not saying every Asian character written should be trying to break down the stereotypes or trying to be an icon of representation, but there are some very obvious white-washing aspects that mixed into this story which could’ve been so easily avoided.
The whole story focuses on the typical over-achiever-wants-to-be-valedictorian Chinese American. However she’s rich. And while she isn’t exactly snobbish or entitled, many of the things she says and the ways she acts makes you realize that she’s lived a privileged life. Even being Chinese doesn’t make her feel less than or is discriminated against because of it. And while I don’t wish that, this kind of representation feels a little bit idealized.
The author does mention or broaches topics such as being non-white, the disparity between poor and rich, and being half something and half something else and how that can be difficult. And while it’s not the main topic of this book, it’s talked about in a way that is kind of brushed upon. Because the reality of things (which I’m guessing the author wanted it to be as realistic as possible since she added COVID and the racism the Asian community faced during and post) isn’t as perfect.
And I mostly blame that on the fact that she lives in a bubble of wealth. And no matter what, money will often allow you to not have to go through the same hurdles as others that look the same as you. But I can’t even blame it on that because her best friend, Kyle, who is also part of that wealthy bubble is much more aware than she is. And yes she does learn and stands up in the end for what’s right, I just had a hard time connecting with her as a character.
I’m not saying every Asian character written should be trying to break down the stereotypes or trying to be an icon of representation, but there are some very obvious white-washing aspects that mixed into this story which could’ve been so easily avoided.
bookswithnopictures's review
2.0
DNF at 30%
I've heard such wonderful things regarding Jennifer Yen and her novel, A Taste for Love. While I haven't read it, it's been on my ginormous TBR for some time. Having the opportunity to read another by her was an easy snag.
A STEM YA is right up my alley. I assumed based on the title and premise I would get a nerdy YA romance. The first third though was slow to develop - no romance, not a lot of STEM or character growth - and the main character, Gigi, was an oblivious little rich girl. Her lack of awareness regarding money and others' abilities to have or use it was off-putting.
The narration is done well though. If I was invested in the story, Annie Q would make it an easy listen.
Thank you to PRHA for the alc. All thoughts are my own.
I've heard such wonderful things regarding Jennifer Yen and her novel, A Taste for Love. While I haven't read it, it's been on my ginormous TBR for some time. Having the opportunity to read another by her was an easy snag.
A STEM YA is right up my alley. I assumed based on the title and premise I would get a nerdy YA romance. The first third though was slow to develop - no romance, not a lot of STEM or character growth - and the main character, Gigi, was an oblivious little rich girl. Her lack of awareness regarding money and others' abilities to have or use it was off-putting.
The narration is done well though. If I was invested in the story, Annie Q would make it an easy listen.
Thank you to PRHA for the alc. All thoughts are my own.