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emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
drshelbenstein's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
yourfavbrowngirl's review against another edition
4.0
Always ease back into reading with a romance, that's just the rule for me now I guess.
I'm always intrigued by Asian stories, especially Asian-American ones, so when I saw the blurb of this book at Kinokuniya yesterday, I had to - well, not buy it but find it on Libby, which I did lol.
The only reason I give it four stars and not five was because of the insta-love as I saw one review mention, it really really made me want to puke. But I did empathize with the character a lot, I understood her struggles, and Chao wove a very intriguing narrative that made me hooked until like 3 in the morning today.
As much as I want to write a much longer and in depth review, I actually have to study math now instead of procrastinating with this book lol.
I'm always intrigued by Asian stories, especially Asian-American ones, so when I saw the blurb of this book at Kinokuniya yesterday, I had to - well, not buy it but find it on Libby, which I did lol.
The only reason I give it four stars and not five was because of the insta-love as I saw one review mention, it really really made me want to puke. But I did empathize with the character a lot, I understood her struggles, and Chao wove a very intriguing narrative that made me hooked until like 3 in the morning today.
As much as I want to write a much longer and in depth review, I actually have to study math now instead of procrastinating with this book lol.
ddnreads's review against another edition
5.0
I. Love. It
I want to put so much words how I loved it. I might fail miserably.
It told a story about Asian American community. Their teens, and parents.
Living in Southeast Asia, I can relate one or two points in this story, especially how Asian parents work, communicate, and basically expecting and ARRANGING their child's future. What worse? Without the child consent.
(+) The language was brutally honest. A truly page turner. It's like we peek into Ali (MC)'s diary. Very entertaining
(+) It mentions of racism a lot. I love how they handle it.
(+) It give sneakpeek of the past between chapters, and retelling the famous Chinese folklore 'Butterfly Lovers'. It adds the curiousity, and mysteriousness. A nice touch.
(+) I'm fine with the romance. Some people might not really enjoy it.
(+) It's highly recommended for you if you want to see how Asian's household do. How to settle things with your Asian parents, and most importantly, having guts to clear things up, and stand up for yourself. Reminding you, when you feel you dont belong anywhere, you're not alone.
The only (-) point is:
(-) The premises along the story gave me criminal vibe, and when the secret revealed it's quite an anti climax.
It's not that the conflict is not tangible. I just set my expectations way too high.
❤️
I want to put so much words how I loved it. I might fail miserably.
It told a story about Asian American community. Their teens, and parents.
Living in Southeast Asia, I can relate one or two points in this story, especially how Asian parents work, communicate, and basically expecting and ARRANGING their child's future. What worse? Without the child consent.
(+) The language was brutally honest. A truly page turner. It's like we peek into Ali (MC)'s diary. Very entertaining
(+) It mentions of racism a lot. I love how they handle it.
(+) It give sneakpeek of the past between chapters, and retelling the famous Chinese folklore 'Butterfly Lovers'. It adds the curiousity, and mysteriousness. A nice touch.
(+) I'm fine with the romance. Some people might not really enjoy it.
(+) It's highly recommended for you if you want to see how Asian's household do. How to settle things with your Asian parents, and most importantly, having guts to clear things up, and stand up for yourself. Reminding you, when you feel you dont belong anywhere, you're not alone.
The only (-) point is:
(-) The premises along the story gave me criminal vibe, and when the secret revealed it's quite an anti climax.
It's not that the conflict is not tangible. I just set my expectations way too high.
❤️
coneja_divina's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to 3.5, but rounded up to a 4.
I’m always drawn to stories where the protagonist is the child of immigrants and feels like she doesn’t fully belong to her parents’ culture or her country of origin’s culture. I personally find it relatable. Ali’s navigation between American and Chinese culture while trying to accept her own identity is compelling.
This story is a retelling of The Butterfly Lovers, but it features an HEA that isn’t bittersweet. I appreciated that the legend was blended into the story, and I especially appreciated that it was hinted that the lovers were ancestors of Ali. The only real issue is that the transition between the three separate settings, Past China, Present China and Present Indiana, can get a little clunky, and the pacing is a little rough.
Overall an enjoyable book and worth checking out.
I’m always drawn to stories where the protagonist is the child of immigrants and feels like she doesn’t fully belong to her parents’ culture or her country of origin’s culture. I personally find it relatable. Ali’s navigation between American and Chinese culture while trying to accept her own identity is compelling.
This story is a retelling of The Butterfly Lovers, but it features an HEA that isn’t bittersweet. I appreciated that the legend was blended into the story, and I especially appreciated that it was hinted that the lovers were ancestors of Ali. The only real issue is that the transition between the three separate settings, Past China, Present China and Present Indiana, can get a little clunky, and the pacing is a little rough.
Overall an enjoyable book and worth checking out.
annaliina's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ylmpastmidnight's review against another edition
4.0
**Will be posted to my blog http://pastmidnight.home.blog on August 12, 2019**
Thank you to Simon Pulse and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc.
This book was so full of many things: Ali’s experience living as a Taiwanese girl in Indiana, the secrets her parents are keeping, Chinese folklore, and a budding romance.
I love Ali! She’s outspoken, strong and spirited, she made me laugh out loud, a lot. I mean the girl isn’t even afraid to talk about pooping!
Thank you to Simon Pulse and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc.
This book was so full of many things: Ali’s experience living as a Taiwanese girl in Indiana, the secrets her parents are keeping, Chinese folklore, and a budding romance.
I love Ali! She’s outspoken, strong and spirited, she made me laugh out loud, a lot. I mean the girl isn’t even afraid to talk about pooping!
neffcannon's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
rachelizx's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation and Sexism
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia