Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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
This book was stunning, like I was written so beautifully and I truly felt like I was there. Such an amazing story, watching Leah’s journey back to discovering herself was so inspiring. Cyrus is such a sweet character I adore him. I admire how he changed from when he was younger, how he realised that how his parents treated each other isn’t really how you’re supposed to treat people you love and he used that growth to treat Leah how he really wanted to. I’m very happy for Leah for finding a friend in Daisy, because Daisy just the kind of person I would want to be besties with too. I found the characters really relatable. The descriptions in this book are so jaw droppingly beautiful, like I could 100% imagine the scenery it was so amazing. This book was one of my most anticipated of the year and it did not disappoint in the slightest. I did not want it to end but at the same time it did. I definitely think Leah should consider a career in photography, I think that it would suit her. I adored these characters and this book so much, I swear Miss Liang puts something in these books. I cannot express how much I loved this or how desperately I need more of her books! 100% recommend this or anything by Ann Liang
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder
Moderate: Racism
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
He kisses me not like he wants to own me, but like he’s mine, and he’s desperate to prove it.
might be one of the most pure and beautiful sentiments ever.
cute + fun + heartfelt
cute + fun + heartfelt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Literally I love this book so much, Ann Liang is easily my favorite atp. Reading this felt as though it was written for me. Everything that Leah had been insecure about, I had been too and the way that she described it encapsulated that feeling of everything horrible about oneself being self-inflicted flawlessly. She portrayed the need to be unconditionally loved in a way that felt like it should be so effortless. Cyprus was a bit unrealistic at times but that honestly just made the story better in I think the only time I've ever seen that be the case. He gave this almost superhero like hope to these fears and anxieties that can be so difficult to feel loved in and was a constant anchor for Leah. as this book, for me, was one of the first times I've found a book as an escape rather than life-changingly meaningful, or a fun light read, or academically interesting. Ann Liang writes about a story that wants to be told, not just because she wants to say she's an author and thats what I love about her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism
Minor: Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: public speaking gone wrong, off-page bullying, cyberbullying, off-page domestic disputes, beauty standards, issues w/ self-worth
This was such a cute ya contemporary romance! Leah and Cyrus both brought their own baggage to their tentative truce turned friendship, but they communicated well and ultimately resolved the major understanding that left them enemies in the past. I really appreciated Liang's handling of "the Incident," because while grossly unfair, it made sense and it was very obvious the guilty party felt just that—extreme guilt over the situation and how it impacted Cyrus and Leah's relationship.
I was also impressed by how the author handled the struggles of a second(?) generation immigrant and the societal expectations to know one's culture and language, as well as Leah's issues with her appearance self-worth that result due to poor classmates and the modeling industry. It was really interesting to see how her inner monologue starts to shift over time, how she reconciles her own happiness with the validation she sought based on her appearance. And the discussion of what happiness means to her... I nearly cried. I was so proud of her by the end!
And the romance !! I truly enjoyed it so much. It felt organic, sweet, and not overly dramatic given their previous issues. There were a few kdrama worthy scenes, a few heartwarming scenes, and a few very silly scenes, all of which built something really lovely. By the end, Cyrus and Leah really felt like a team!
Lastly, I really enjoyed the side characters. Daisy was a bit 2-dimensional, but I appreciated that she and Leah became true friends by the end; she was in desperate need of a confidante. I also loved the flippant, ridiculous but warm-hearted persona that was Oliver. I wish we could've gotten maybe one or two more side characters to join their little squad, but that's just me wishing.
Overall, I had a really good time reading this and would definitely recommend for younger readers, think 12-18, that are Asian American or interested in a cute multicultural romance.
4.75 out of 5 stars!
TW: public speaking gone wrong, off-page bullying, cyberbullying, off-page domestic disputes, beauty standards, issues w/ self-worth
This was such a cute ya contemporary romance! Leah and Cyrus both brought their own baggage to their tentative truce turned friendship, but they communicated well and ultimately resolved the major understanding that left them enemies in the past. I really appreciated Liang's handling of "the Incident," because while grossly unfair, it made sense and it was very obvious the guilty party felt just that—extreme guilt over the situation and how it impacted Cyrus and Leah's relationship.
I was also impressed by how the author handled the struggles of a second(?) generation immigrant and the societal expectations to know one's culture and language, as well as Leah's issues with her appearance self-worth that result due to poor classmates and the modeling industry. It was really interesting to see how her inner monologue starts to shift over time, how she reconciles her own happiness with the validation she sought based on her appearance. And the discussion of what happiness means to her... I nearly cried. I was so proud of her by the end!
And the romance !! I truly enjoyed it so much. It felt organic, sweet, and not overly dramatic given their previous issues. There were a few kdrama worthy scenes, a few heartwarming scenes, and a few very silly scenes, all of which built something really lovely. By the end, Cyrus and Leah really felt like a team!
Lastly, I really enjoyed the side characters. Daisy was a bit 2-dimensional, but I appreciated that she and Leah became true friends by the end; she was in desperate need of a confidante. I also loved the flippant, ridiculous but warm-hearted persona that was Oliver. I wish we could've gotten maybe one or two more side characters to join their little squad, but that's just me wishing.
Overall, I had a really good time reading this and would definitely recommend for younger readers, think 12-18, that are Asian American or interested in a cute multicultural romance.
4.75 out of 5 stars!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail