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wordsofclover's review
reflective
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
durrareadsstuff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.5
"I don't think it's that black-and-white," he said.
"It's not a panda?"
His lip quirked up on one side (the right, never the left). "No, not a panda."
An amazing story about one side to asian-american's lives💫There's so much I didn't know before reading this. I think the author did a good job in making the chinese terms and culture understandable for all audiences.
Although this book covers quite a few heavy themes (e.g. racism, body shaming, family relationships) it didn't lose its fluffy and rom-com aspects. The writing made me crack up so much. I loved Darren and Mei's relationship. They're not unnecessarily dramatic and they're just so cute 😍😍😍
Mei also had to rethink her future and I find that to be most relatable for me cause I'm not that sure of what to do for my degree either. And I find myself agreeing a lot of what she's saying and feeling. Like how she finds biology to be really boring and super icky with germs but she was like, I'll probably get over it. And I loved seeing Mei stand up for herself and figuring out what she wants. Her confidence really shot up and I was rooting for her! I think the characters were really lovable - and I liked how Mei just listened to her mom and not interrupt her and blame it all on her cause Mama had it rough too and she's trying very hard.
This book kinda caught me by surprise cause I was expecting an all fluffy book but instead I got a pretty theme-y one—which made me love it soo much more!! ❤️❤️
Although this book covers quite a few heavy themes (e.g. racism, body shaming, family relationships) it didn't lose its fluffy and rom-com aspects. The writing made me crack up so much. I loved Darren and Mei's relationship. They're not unnecessarily dramatic and they're just so cute 😍😍😍
Mei also had to rethink her future and I find that to be most relatable for me cause I'm not that sure of what to do for my degree either. And I find myself agreeing a lot of what she's saying and feeling. Like how she finds biology to be really boring and super icky with germs but she was like, I'll probably get over it. And I loved seeing Mei stand up for herself and figuring out what she wants. Her confidence really shot up and I was rooting for her! I think the characters were really lovable - and I liked how Mei just listened to her mom and not interrupt her and blame it all on her cause Mama had it rough too and she's trying very hard.
This book kinda caught me by surprise cause I was expecting an all fluffy book but instead I got a pretty theme-y one—which made me love it soo much more!! ❤️❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Racism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Grief, Infertility, and Medical content
leahsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.0
After reading Rent A Boyfriend, I had to read this one. I got access to the audiobook, and it was a quick, moving read. I loved the narrator - she sounded young and believable as Mei.
I loved the way the relationships built and changed for Mei, especially with her mother, her brother, and a childhood friend. She grew so much throughout the story, but it was so organic that it almost wasn't noticeable until suddenly I realized how much she had changed from the beginning of the book.
Even though there were some heavier issues throughout the book, the story still felt light and fun. There were plenty of humorous parts, and I left feeling like I had a better understanding of Taiwanese-American culture. Listening to it as an audiobook gave me a better appreciation for the snippets of language that are interspersed throughout the text, like how they are actually pronounced. I can read them, it's always so different hearing them.
I would have liked to see a little more of the connections between Mei and her peers. There wasn't a lot of time devoted to Mei and other characters her age. I guess that after reading Rent A Boyfriend I was expecting more of a romance, but it turned out to be more of a coming of age story about how the relationship between Mei and her mother changed and grew, as Mei learned how to stand up for herself. But I still would have liked to see more of the relationship between Mei and Darren.
Overall, this was a great story, and has solidified Gloria Chao's place as one of my favorite multicultural writers. She's incredibly talented, telling stories about navigating the complicated territory of being part of two cultures, and having one foot in each, while never feeling entirely comfortable in either. Her characters are complex and flawed, but ultimately endearing and intriguing, the kind of characters who feel so real that I can't help but want to see them succeed.
I loved the way the relationships built and changed for Mei, especially with her mother, her brother, and a childhood friend. She grew so much throughout the story, but it was so organic that it almost wasn't noticeable until suddenly I realized how much she had changed from the beginning of the book.
Even though there were some heavier issues throughout the book, the story still felt light and fun. There were plenty of humorous parts, and I left feeling like I had a better understanding of Taiwanese-American culture. Listening to it as an audiobook gave me a better appreciation for the snippets of language that are interspersed throughout the text, like how they are actually pronounced. I can read them, it's always so different hearing them.
I would have liked to see a little more of the connections between Mei and her peers. There wasn't a lot of time devoted to Mei and other characters her age. I guess that after reading Rent A Boyfriend I was expecting more of a romance, but it turned out to be more of a coming of age story about how the relationship between Mei and her mother changed and grew, as Mei learned how to stand up for herself. But I still would have liked to see more of the relationship between Mei and Darren.
Overall, this was a great story, and has solidified Gloria Chao's place as one of my favorite multicultural writers. She's incredibly talented, telling stories about navigating the complicated territory of being part of two cultures, and having one foot in each, while never feeling entirely comfortable in either. Her characters are complex and flawed, but ultimately endearing and intriguing, the kind of characters who feel so real that I can't help but want to see them succeed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship
vee's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
One of the most interesting portrayals of immigrant child guilt, filial piety, and intergenerational trauma. This book is one that really needed to be written, and I'm surprised it hasn't been done before. Don't let the cover fool you, the book is filled with nuanced conversations and the protagonist is one you can really root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death and Cursing
Minor: Infertility and Fatphobia
saadiasreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Racism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Medical content, Infertility, Emotional abuse, and Death
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