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bujo_bellel's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.0
OMG I LOVE THEM, THEY'RE SO CUTE I CANNOT AHHHHH! I really loved this book, I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow and seeing them get closer together dksnxksbdbd. I liked seeing their competitiveness and watching being in Alice's head as she is thinking of things. I like that they are there for each other and she's kind of oblivious to him :) I love Henry for being so sweet and gentlemanly towards Alice and for helping her out :( I like how Alice is smarter than him and thought of a way out at the end, I really like Alice's character and her family dynamics, it's makes them seem very real. The teachers are quite fleshed out too, and it makes the setting really feel like a classroom and they're in a school. I really loved Chanel in here and I like how supportive she is, seeing how Chanel and Alice got closer and closer together :D. I really like the Author's writing style, and all the little details and hints she outs in, really helped me visualise what is happening :)) I really liked learning about Alice's life in her international school and the different experiences she had. I am looking forward to read the rest of her backlist hehe!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement, Racism, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
daenerystargaryen's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Infidelity, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Confinement
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, and Vomit
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism, Confinement, and Infidelity
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
thecourtofreading's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.75
this was so so so good. thoroughly enjoyed reading every second of this that i actually couldn't put it down, and i need more alice and henry content immediately. i'm not sure i'm happy with the ending, but regardless it was quite satisfying anyway
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Classism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Racism, Infidelity, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
ye_li's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Hate crime
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
mandkips's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Confinement, and Infidelity
Minor: Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, and Alcohol
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Slow-burn-rivals-to-lovers romance, magical realism, tumultuous lives of teenagers, familial pressure and problems, and feeling invisible while simultaneously being known as the overachieving student. Loved it! I really liked the rivalry between Alice and Henry, with him being painfully oblivious to how much Alice hates him (at one point being surprised they "hate each other.") He's obnoxious in a cute way, letting his guard down as he grows to know Alice.
The plotline of Alice's surprise, spontaneous invisibility is not the MAIN one, instead dealing with Alice's money and social issues. I thought I would be disappointed that her invisibility doesn't come into play more often, but I'm actually happy to have gotten more of her story through her opening up to Henry and a classmate named Chanel.
However, I am a little disappointed that she seemingly had this conversation with her aunt about her invisibility and then.. nothing came of that conversation? I truly thought either:
The plotline of Alice's surprise, spontaneous invisibility is not the MAIN one, instead dealing with Alice's money and social issues. I thought I would be disappointed that her invisibility doesn't come into play more often, but I'm actually happy to have gotten more of her story through her opening up to Henry and a classmate named Chanel.
However, I am a little disappointed that she seemingly had this conversation with her aunt about her invisibility and then.. nothing came of that conversation? I truly thought either:
1. it would be revealed her aunt has the same power (and maybe even her mom- sort of a Turning Red panda power thing)
"So... are you telling me this is a curse? Or a gift?
"I think... that depends on what you make of it until it goes away."
OR
2. she would have a later conversation and discuss the turning-invisible thing and her aunt would be confused, thinking Alice meant metaphorically, not literally
I suppose I'm not completely confused or disappointed, but I did hope there would be more of an explanation to the power, or that Alice would be able to control it eventually.
2. she would have a later conversation and discuss the turning-invisible thing and her aunt would be confused, thinking Alice meant metaphorically, not literally
I suppose I'm not completely confused or disappointed, but I did hope there would be more of an explanation to the power, or that Alice would be able to control it eventually.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Kidnapping, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Confinement, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
weirdfi's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Received a copy from Harlequin Aus.
~~~
I thought from the blurb this was a little interesting and would be a fun quick read. Life drama with some fantasy elements thrown in. A little like With this Kiss, I guess?
And in most respects it was, quick yes, fun? Funny is probably the better word, as it went deep and dark and fast paced more than I expected but had laugh out loud moments. The main character Alice did start to grate my nerves but after finishing it, I wouldn't have it any other way. Replace her with a perfect character and it would not have had the same effect. She needed to be an imperfect teenager who still acted rashly from time to time. If you're interested in class power dynamics or even slight racism intentional or unintentional and how it makes us feel this one had it all.
I don't want to give plot lines away, or secrets within secrets out... So I'll say if you liked adult books With this Kiss, or In Five Years, it's similar to them in terms of contemporary fiction with fantastical or supernatural elements. Just a bit less romance. In terms of YA, perhaps if you enjoyed The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling this would be a good one to pick up.
~~~
I thought from the blurb this was a little interesting and would be a fun quick read. Life drama with some fantasy elements thrown in. A little like With this Kiss, I guess?
And in most respects it was, quick yes, fun? Funny is probably the better word, as it went deep and dark and fast paced more than I expected but had laugh out loud moments. The main character Alice did start to grate my nerves but after finishing it, I wouldn't have it any other way. Replace her with a perfect character and it would not have had the same effect. She needed to be an imperfect teenager who still acted rashly from time to time. If you're interested in class power dynamics or even slight racism intentional or unintentional and how it makes us feel this one had it all.
I don't want to give plot lines away, or secrets within secrets out... So I'll say if you liked adult books With this Kiss, or In Five Years, it's similar to them in terms of contemporary fiction with fantastical or supernatural elements. Just a bit less romance. In terms of YA, perhaps if you enjoyed The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling this would be a good one to pick up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Classism, Stalking, Racism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Hate crime, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
chichisode's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
this is one of the most unique YA books i have read. i loved it. i was intrigued by dialogue snippets on instagram and i just had to read it. a correct decision, an amazing decision. i loved the setting, how different their school is from the environment that alice moves in whenever she's not IN school. i fell in love with all the characters, i feel interested in and intrigued by them which makes me wish the book was longer because i wanted to know all of them. it's one of the greatest and most frustrating feelings in the world. i think what makes a book a good read is when you finish it and you ask, "is there more of this?" i wish alice's relationships with her peers were explored more but it was understandable considering her character. and i really get her, i get her more than i do henry. i loved the dialogue, the casual references, the writing style. the characters felt like they could be actual students from an elite international school, they were on page behaving like actual teenagers. the specific detail i appreciated in the way alice was written was her obsession and guilt about her mother's hands. i just loved how it was a recurring thing for her because the incident that caused it was one of the clear memories she had from america (she does mention that america isn't all that clear to her, that they're flashes so i assumed this)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Racism, Violence, Classism, Hate crime, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
sweetsxrrxw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
this was such an enjoyable and lovely read <3 even though it's a debut novel, the writing and the idea overall were wonderful!
i think the story is mainly focused on alice's struggles, and i can assure the author portrayed most of them really well. back in high school, i also used to be a nerd craving for academic validation, lmao, but i'm currently in my burnt out phase. so, if the book had been published a few years ago, i am pretty sure i would have related even more to the main character. however, i can still see myself in most of her personal conflicts. being an overachiever and always pushing herself to be the best is a mood, yes. but the not having enough money part also hit me. i turned out to become one of those people who can't really ask for anything. i grew up in a lower-middle class family, so i couldn't always get what other kids had. nowadays, if somebody spends money on me, i feel super guilty. even if there are things i really need, i think i would rather die than asking for them. so yeah. i can understand why alice decided to start making some morally questionable decisions. she would rather monetize her invisibility than having to leave her dream school or having to admit she really needed some money to stay in. of course, things worsened as the story progressed but, once again, i can't really blame alice because i kinda know what it feels like to be in that position of not being able to ask for something you crave. on the other hand, there was also a super relatable part in the beginning, in which she realizes she's friendly with everyone but she's not friends with everyone. is it wrong if i almost cried to that one quote because of how much i could see myself in it? lmao. and, hell, her fear of failure is so immense... she's so me!
so yeah, alice is a morally gray character, an antihero or whatever you want to call her, but i could definitely understand why she made some of her decisions, even if my moral compass would never allow me to make them i get where she's coming from.
and let's talk about henry li, my beloved <3 i really could not care less if some people think he's flat, he got me smiling, blushing and kicking my feet almost everytime he talked. when he pretended to be in love with jake? he had me laughing like an idiot. when he realizes alice thinks they hate each other and he quickly tries to make clear that he does not? i couldn't stop smiling. him being super devoted to the whole beijing ghost app just because he gets to spend time with alice? malewife energy that i absolutely love to see. him supporting her in front of her disappointed parents? i died. he's just one of my fav book boyfriends ever and i can't wait to read his pov <3
as to some other small details, i'd like to highlight some, such as alice's parents having a "broken" english. i mean, maybe it is not a big deal but i just felt like it was relevant. also, i thought it was funny that chanel's mom was named coco, idk, when i realized i was just like "oh, lol"
even though i loved the ending and i enjoyed seeing alice grow up and starting to appreciate the little things in her life, im upset bc we never really got a proper explanation to alice's powers. i am guessing she just turned invisible every time she felt that way and couldn't handle her feelings but that's just a self-made theory. also, there were little details like her lack of sleep not being properly showed which were a bit disappointing to notice.
however, as i stated in the beginning, it is a really nice story and i am so happy i got to read it!
i think the story is mainly focused on alice's struggles, and i can assure the author portrayed most of them really well. back in high school, i also used to be a nerd craving for academic validation, lmao, but i'm currently in my burnt out phase. so, if the book had been published a few years ago, i am pretty sure i would have related even more to the main character. however, i can still see myself in most of her personal conflicts. being an overachiever and always pushing herself to be the best is a mood, yes. but the not having enough money part also hit me. i turned out to become one of those people who can't really ask for anything. i grew up in a lower-middle class family, so i couldn't always get what other kids had. nowadays, if somebody spends money on me, i feel super guilty. even if there are things i really need, i think i would rather die than asking for them. so yeah. i can understand why alice decided to start making some morally questionable decisions. she would rather monetize her invisibility than having to leave her dream school or having to admit she really needed some money to stay in. of course, things worsened as the story progressed but, once again, i can't really blame alice because i kinda know what it feels like to be in that position of not being able to ask for something you crave. on the other hand, there was also a super relatable part in the beginning, in which she realizes she's friendly with everyone but she's not friends with everyone. is it wrong if i almost cried to that one quote because of how much i could see myself in it? lmao. and, hell, her fear of failure is so immense... she's so me!
so yeah, alice is a morally gray character, an antihero or whatever you want to call her, but i could definitely understand why she made some of her decisions, even if my moral compass would never allow me to make them i get where she's coming from.
and let's talk about henry li, my beloved <3 i really could not care less if some people think he's flat, he got me smiling, blushing and kicking my feet almost everytime he talked. when he pretended to be in love with jake? he had me laughing like an idiot. when he realizes alice thinks they hate each other and he quickly tries to make clear that he does not? i couldn't stop smiling. him being super devoted to the whole beijing ghost app just because he gets to spend time with alice? malewife energy that i absolutely love to see. him supporting her in front of her disappointed parents? i died. he's just one of my fav book boyfriends ever and i can't wait to read his pov <3
as to some other small details, i'd like to highlight some, such as alice's parents having a "broken" english. i mean, maybe it is not a big deal but i just felt like it was relevant. also, i thought it was funny that chanel's mom was named coco, idk, when i realized i was just like "oh, lol"
even though i loved the ending and i enjoyed seeing alice grow up and starting to appreciate the little things in her life, im upset bc we never really got a proper explanation to alice's powers. i am guessing she just turned invisible every time she felt that way and couldn't handle her feelings but that's just a self-made theory. also, there were little details like her lack of sleep not being properly showed which were a bit disappointing to notice.
however, as i stated in the beginning, it is a really nice story and i am so happy i got to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Classism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Confinement and Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia