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astronotpoet's review against another edition
5.0
Best sapphic rom com I’ve read in ages. Captures so much of the nuance of coming out and family and friendship and desirability and coming of age all in one. It’s 1am because I meant to read just one chapter this evening but ended up finishing the whole thing. Exceptional! I want to own it! I recommend it to anyone who likes a love story! To anyone who’s struggled to love themselves or believe in their inherent worth. To anyone who wants to read a well paced book with heart and intricate detail that leaves each character fleshed out and developed by the end.
cmll's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
rosereadsalot's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So. I really enjoyed seeing such a diverse cast of characters, from different races to cultures to sexualities! This was a deep and meaningful Young Adult book and which I would definitely recommend. It deals with emotional and sensitive topics, including but not limited to homophobia, abandonment, racism and prejudice, grief and loss of a parent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
robinlikesreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So is a wonderful sapphic YA romance that talks about friendship, family, first love and so much more.
The story follows Elsie who has a crush on her internet best friend Ada. Meanwhile her ex best friend Joan, who moved to Hong Kong years ago, walks back into Elsie's life.
I expected a light hearted cheesy YA romance.... but that's not what this book is. Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it light hearted at times? Sure. But it's also so complex. Both Elsie and Joan are from Hong Kong, both are queer. The only difference is that Elsie had to discover her queerness in the UK and Joan discovered her queerness in Hong Kong. Both had very different experiences and it's talked about so well.
There's also so much representation in this book. We've got representation for bisexuality, homosexuality, asexuality, lesbians, non binary, etc. I was surprised at how much rep we got in one book.
I really wish I read this book sooner. It has been on my tbr since 2022 and I'm glad I finally found some time to read it. If you love Alice Oseman's books, you're absolutely going to love this one as well. I surely did.
The story follows Elsie who has a crush on her internet best friend Ada. Meanwhile her ex best friend Joan, who moved to Hong Kong years ago, walks back into Elsie's life.
I expected a light hearted cheesy YA romance.... but that's not what this book is. Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it light hearted at times? Sure. But it's also so complex. Both Elsie and Joan are from Hong Kong, both are queer. The only difference is that Elsie had to discover her queerness in the UK and Joan discovered her queerness in Hong Kong. Both had very different experiences and it's talked about so well.
There's also so much representation in this book. We've got representation for bisexuality, homosexuality, asexuality, lesbians, non binary, etc. I was surprised at how much rep we got in one book.
I really wish I read this book sooner. It has been on my tbr since 2022 and I'm glad I finally found some time to read it. If you love Alice Oseman's books, you're absolutely going to love this one as well. I surely did.
themintcar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.5
meggothemeg's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
A really sweet read and something I wish I'd had to read as a teenager. Brings the beauty of fandom to life. Loved it!
violett13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
bellabihren's review against another edition
5.0
FINALMENTE LENDO UM LIVRO QUE EU AMEI DO INÍCIO AO FIM QUE COISA DELICIOSAAAAA
esse livro me entregou tudo que eu precisava e nem sabia: fãs de fanfics, romance, viagens, friends to lovers, surtos, pessoas resolvendo as coisas conversando!!!!!!
amei amei ameiiiiiiii nossa terminei muito feliz!!!!!! a maldição da ressaca literária vai embora SIM
esse livro me entregou tudo que eu precisava e nem sabia: fãs de fanfics, romance, viagens, friends to lovers, surtos, pessoas resolvendo as coisas conversando!!!!!!
amei amei ameiiiiiiii nossa terminei muito feliz!!!!!! a maldição da ressaca literária vai embora SIM
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.75
omg, this is a new favorite YA read for me!!! i loved all the representation. i was gigging and kicking my feet at the conversations around elsie's crushes. i loved the fandom and fanfiction aspect so much (and i WISH that comic was real because i feel like i would eat it tf up). this was such a great ode to a queer coming of age and finding both your community and yourself. this definitely healed a piece of my inner child. i loved all the subplots that were woven into this story and honestly could have read 100+ more pages of these characters.
i think if there had been more on page interaction between elsie and joan,especially at the end there when they FINALLY confessed their feelings for each other, and the relationship between elsie and her dad was more fleshed out and explained, we got so much with her mom, but i felt like her dad was just there, this would have been a perfect 5 star read for me!
representation: BIsexual Chinese-British MC, Sapphic Indian-British SC, Lesbian Chinese SC, Gay SCs, Queer Biracial (Nigerian, white American) SC, Nonbinary SCs
content warnings:homophobia, toxic relationship, racism, death, abandonment, emotional abuse, body shaming, dysphoria, xenophobia, racial slurs, panic attacks/disorders
i think if there had been more on page interaction between elsie and joan,
representation: BIsexual Chinese-British MC, Sapphic Indian-British SC, Lesbian Chinese SC, Gay SCs, Queer Biracial (Nigerian, white American) SC, Nonbinary SCs
content warnings:
tamarina's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
- 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
4.5
So so so cute this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Racism