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rwasher722's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Adorable cute story
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
This was a sweet, feel good #ownvoices YA friends to lovers romance. After an embarrassing misunderstanding, best friends Liya and Kai have a falling out. When Liya's family business is on the brink of closing, the two teens band together to try to raise the profile of wishing lanterns at a variety of local Chinese festivals.
There was so much to love about this book, from all the reality tv/pop culture references, to the great cultural traditions, the strong sense of family and the Romeo and Juliet feuding families. Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This was great on audio narrated by Carolyn Kang and Dylan J. Locke and perfect for fans of Jenny Han or Jennifer Yen.
There was so much to love about this book, from all the reality tv/pop culture references, to the great cultural traditions, the strong sense of family and the Romeo and Juliet feuding families. Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This was great on audio narrated by Carolyn Kang and Dylan J. Locke and perfect for fans of Jenny Han or Jennifer Yen.
bekahtay19's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
yuuto's review
5.0
I think I finished reading this entire book in about three hours, the story was very cute and just pulled me right in.
undervmountain's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I was initially going to dnf this book at the start, as opening the pages to immediate descriptions of Kai's lean arm muscles was definitely off putting. However, I decided to continue and it wasn't quite as bad the rest of the way through, just a little bit cringe.
The romance is fine, you can see why Liya and Kai fit well together as a couple, but the whole reason they haven't got together is due to the miscommunication trope, after she uh, threw up on him. What I did really like was the portrayal of grief, and how gentrification had affected their small Chinese community, which made the story stronger as a whole.
What this story really has going for it is that it's short as hell, I finished it in a couple of sessions. Had it been longer, it would have been a slog to get through but it's more like a quick snack, and I did leave the story happy that Liya and Kai's future would be okay - would absolutely read a sequel novella of them in college though!
The romance is fine, you can see why Liya and Kai fit well together as a couple, but the whole reason they haven't got together is due to the miscommunication trope, after she uh, threw up on him. What I did really like was the portrayal of grief, and how gentrification had affected their small Chinese community, which made the story stronger as a whole.
What this story really has going for it is that it's short as hell, I finished it in a couple of sessions. Had it been longer, it would have been a slog to get through but it's more like a quick snack, and I did leave the story happy that Liya and Kai's future would be okay - would absolutely read a sequel novella of them in college though!
rebelqueen's review
3.0
Very cute. Modern Chinese-American star crossed lovers romance with food. Needs more food descriptions.