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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
This book really impressed me. After reading the Stand In by Lily Chu I knew I had to pick this up because I loved her writing so much. Endlessly readable and very satisfying, it isn't anything record breaking but its quite addictive. I also really admire the half-Asian Canadian representation in all of her books, you can tell she speaks from personal experience and has the power to influence the entire genre of romantic comedy in this way.
This book was a classic rom com but with the interesting setting of both a diversity representation company and a fashion design company. The characters were well developed with classic tropes, but also a really interesting and thoughtful exploration of toxic positivity. I felt myself really moved by the journey the main character takes, even outside of the romantic context. Much like the representation its obvious these are personal themes and it really resonated with me.
Very impressed with Lily Chu's work so far, these rom coms are well worth a read.
This book was a classic rom com but with the interesting setting of both a diversity representation company and a fashion design company. The characters were well developed with classic tropes, but also a really interesting and thoughtful exploration of toxic positivity. I felt myself really moved by the journey the main character takes, even outside of the romantic context. Much like the representation its obvious these are personal themes and it really resonated with me.
Very impressed with Lily Chu's work so far, these rom coms are well worth a read.
3.5 stars. Enjoyed this quite a bit, but maybe not as much as Chu's previous books. I liked the chemistry between D and Teddy and was pleased that their rivalry on Questy was just a meet-cute and not a longer lasting rivalry/bigger part of their relationship. I thought D's work as a diversity consultant was interesting and there were some strong points to this narrative, but overall it felt a little underdeveloped for how big of a part it played in the book. The goal of taking down Michael ended up overshadowing the more systemic issues in the workplace. But overall an excellent and lighthearted read for having listened to it for free with my Audible subscription, and Phillipa Soo is a great narrator.
Loving the amount of Canadian authors I have read and this is no different. I have loved every single book Lily Chu wrote so far and this is no different. Read this in a day I loved it so much.
Loved Dee and Teddy. Loved that it was focused on the fashion industry. The focus on toxic positivity was so well done and amazing in my opinion. Really made me think about the dangerous line between staying positive and not acknowledging feelings.
Also absolutely love the love letter to Toronto making so many of the clues recognizable for Torontonians.
Loved Dee and Teddy. Loved that it was focused on the fashion industry. The focus on toxic positivity was so well done and amazing in my opinion. Really made me think about the dangerous line between staying positive and not acknowledging feelings.
Also absolutely love the love letter to Toronto making so many of the clues recognizable for Torontonians.
funny
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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Whew, that was too relatable, oof. RTC
This book was relatable to the point it felt like a personal attack, and I both resent being called out and also applaud Lily Chu for it.
Dee is a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Teddy is the heir of a huge fashion business, and chaos ensues when Teddy's family business is thrust in the spotlight for terrible D&I practices (in that there wasn't really any D&I). The main plot was hard to get through - the micro-agressions, white privilege, and outright racism - it was a wild storm. However, so many great conversations came out of it and it was a huge undertaking on Chu's part to write about and shine a light on some of these issues.
The personal attack was Dee's family. The way they sweep everything under a facade of toxic positivity and general avoidance. It was a bit too real at times, and I commend Chu for really hitting me where it hurts. So much of my family was reflected in this book and it was an oof. Dee's growth through it was amazing, even though it takes her a while to fully settle into it (relatable, as well).
While I liked Dee, I loved Teddy. He was my favourite part of the story. Lily Chu always makes her men so real and outside of the conventional "manly man" template. Teddy is a fashion designer who loves art and isn't intimidated by a smart woman and he's almost entirely green flags and I love him for it. He and Dee really click and seeing their relationship with each other develop and grow was a lot of fun, despite the growing pains.
The book was a ride and while I definitely didn't like confronting some of my own issues as I read it, a book where you see yourself reflected and your experiences shared is really a testament to Chu's ability to write real and relatable characters. That ending also was so vindicating, my goodness!
Rep: biracial MCs, bisexual secondary character
TW: toxic positivity, biphobia, racism, micro-aggressions, racial slurs, bullying, sexism; mentions fatphobia, cancer, death of a parent
eARC gifted via Colored Pages Book Tours by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was relatable to the point it felt like a personal attack, and I both resent being called out and also applaud Lily Chu for it.
Dee is a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Teddy is the heir of a huge fashion business, and chaos ensues when Teddy's family business is thrust in the spotlight for terrible D&I practices (in that there wasn't really any D&I). The main plot was hard to get through - the micro-agressions, white privilege, and outright racism - it was a wild storm. However, so many great conversations came out of it and it was a huge undertaking on Chu's part to write about and shine a light on some of these issues.
The personal attack was Dee's family. The way they sweep everything under a facade of toxic positivity and general avoidance. It was a bit too real at times, and I commend Chu for really hitting me where it hurts. So much of my family was reflected in this book and it was an oof. Dee's growth through it was amazing, even though it takes her a while to fully settle into it (relatable, as well).
While I liked Dee, I loved Teddy. He was my favourite part of the story. Lily Chu always makes her men so real and outside of the conventional "manly man" template. Teddy is a fashion designer who loves art and isn't intimidated by a smart woman and he's almost entirely green flags and I love him for it. He and Dee really click and seeing their relationship with each other develop and grow was a lot of fun, despite the growing pains.
The book was a ride and while I definitely didn't like confronting some of my own issues as I read it, a book where you see yourself reflected and your experiences shared is really a testament to Chu's ability to write real and relatable characters. That ending also was so vindicating, my goodness!
Rep: biracial MCs, bisexual secondary character
TW: toxic positivity, biphobia, racism, micro-aggressions, racial slurs, bullying, sexism; mentions fatphobia, cancer, death of a parent
eARC gifted via Colored Pages Book Tours by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, Death of parent
I enjoy Lily Chu's characters and stories, this was no exception. If you have Audible, enjoy an above average rom com (2/3