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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
ACR:3.5/5✨ sometimes you just need a ridiculously cute (and cutely ridiculous) contemporary to get you through the long uni/work week
Rating between a 2 and 2.5 . With suspension of disbelief on high, this book was entertaining. I liked the friendships and the k-drama aspect. I did not like Desi. Her personality just doesn't click with mine. It's too controlling and "perfect". I thought the things she did was manipulative and childish and things that only happen in bad rom-coms. I have a lot of gripes with it, but I did like the list of k-drama recommendations in the back.
Spoiler
The point at which she staged the car crash was by far the stupidest and least forgiving part. And after Luca found out about it at the end of the book she continued with the dumb ass plan. It's a character trait that I really hate. Being so self-assured and arrogant with "good intentions", but in reality those good intentions are just being blind to other people's feelings in order to get away with selfish things. The fact that they got together in the end enraged me. I doubt she learned her lesson because she staged falling into the fountain at prom. Don't waste your time with her! Also I met her personality before and let's just say I haven't had good experience with it. (I'm basically Violet in this situation. Or Fiona, she has her shit together) And on that note I don't like her friends enabling this. Friends isn't stick by each other no matter what. It's calling people on their bullshit because you care about them as a person not "maintaining" a friendship.
MY OPINION: ****
No, I didn't disappear off the face of the earth.
I've been meaning to write this review for a long time. I haven't gotten around to it until now but I've created a list of things that I did and didn't like about this book. I mean, it wasn't a bad book, no, not at all, but I thought that there were some things that were unusual or unlikeable.
I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book because they were somehow connected to me. Like, I've gone through similar experiences or have similar aspirations.
I'm actually going to make this review written in a list format so that I can lay out everything that I want to say. Also, I think it'll be easier for you guys to read because long paragraphs are annoying, I get it.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ME AND DESI
1) We both want to go to Stanford.
I've wanted to go to Stanford since I was a little kid. It started from my dad always asking me where I wanted to go and I would respond Stanford or Harvard. Harvard is too far away from where I live, so Stanford is my best bet. I've visited the campus, researched a LOT, and have everything ready to go. However, I know this doesn't mean I'm definitely going to get in but it's a "dream", just like Desi.
2) We both have a missing parent.
I don't really want to go into this because it'll take a while and bring out some things that I don't really feel like bringing out. I just want to say that a lot of books these days have a missing parent, for whatever reason (either they died or they left them) and I really appreciate that. I like feeling that there are people (even if they're fictional) who know how it feels, especially when they explain their emotions.
3) We're both Asian.
I feel like I had to put this in because of the lack of Asian characters in books these days. There is a large diverse character field in the Young Adult world but it's rare that you come across a Young Adult Asian novel, no matter what the genre. Yes, maybe a couple of the characters aren't Korean or Chinese but I really appreciate the diversity. I'm a huge Jenny Han lover and I really liked this aspect of this book.
4) We don't have boyfriends.
I just want to point out the fact that I'm just almost in high school, so this doesn't really apply. But all my friends have had boyfriends or have them now, and I can't relate. I definitely understood Desi's plight!
Moving on from similarities, because I can go on and on and on...
LIKES
I always try to start with the good first before moving on.
1) I loved the romantic tension. I don't know how else to explain it but I loved the DRAMA of it all. I loved Luca's character (AND HIS NAME) and I loved how real the emotions were in this book.
2) I liked the character development. The characters in this book were realistic and had the characteristics of modern teenagers now, such as growing up and rebelling against parents (face it, we all do it).
3) I liked the lightness of this book. I liked how it was fun to read and not terribly depressing or boring. I liked how it was easy and a quick novel.
4) There were certain parts of the book I loved. I liked the whole Luca thing and basically every time she was there. I liked all of the escapades and I liked all of the Wes and Desi barf couple thing.
DISLIKES
I wouldn't say these were dislikes but more like nagging little irritations that I just need to vent about.
1) Luca. I loved him but I also hated him at the same time. HE WAS SO UNROMANTIC. And yes, I must admit, it was SO real to life. You are NEVER going to meet a romantic guy like the ones in romance novels and Luca was so like real life guys that I almost want to cry at how unfair it is. But he was SO UNROMANTIC AND I HATED IT. I read romance novels for the FANTASY of it all.
2) I'm just gonna say it: I thought Desi was a very childish person. I don't know... the way she talked, the way she acted, everything about her was just so immature. This is similar to Lara Jean from To All the Boys I've Loved Before but in her case, she was innocently immature. Desi is more like straight-up a kid. She didn't seem like a teenager.
3) Luca again. I hate the stupid nicknames he calls Desi. "NERD" That annoyed me. As someone who is often categorized as a nerd, I know how it feels. And yes, maybe it was supposed to be seen as endearing or cute or charming and maybe it was to you but NOT TO ME. I hated it and I cringed mentally everytime I read that. He also says stupid things like "I LIKE YOUR HOT BRAIN" which literally TRIGGERED me (and now I cringing for using the word "triggered").
4) I thought that this whole plot was cliche. Yes, maybe that's a good thing because I like fluffy romances that end in happily ever after right after a couple of mishaps and breakups and tears and yayayayayaya. But it was predictable and while I don't think that's necessarily a BAD thing, I thought that the author could have put some effort into creating surprises or red herrings. Yes, I know this is a light read.
5) The dialogue in this book. The way that the characters talked annoyed me to no end. They used words that fit into a middle-school boy's general vocabulary. They were blunt, quick, and haphazardly written pieces of dialogue.
So yeah. I didn't hate this book, lemme just make that clear. I actually enjoyed it and am planning on reading Maurene Goo's other book (or is it books?). There were just a few faults that I found that weren't exactly the best thing in the world.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a light fluffy read.
Main Character: Desi
Sidekick(s): Luca, Wes, Fiona, etc
Villain(s): Love, misunderstandings, lying, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: All of this was very real to life.
No, I didn't disappear off the face of the earth.
I've been meaning to write this review for a long time. I haven't gotten around to it until now but I've created a list of things that I did and didn't like about this book. I mean, it wasn't a bad book, no, not at all, but I thought that there were some things that were unusual or unlikeable.
I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book because they were somehow connected to me. Like, I've gone through similar experiences or have similar aspirations.
I'm actually going to make this review written in a list format so that I can lay out everything that I want to say. Also, I think it'll be easier for you guys to read because long paragraphs are annoying, I get it.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ME AND DESI
1) We both want to go to Stanford.
I've wanted to go to Stanford since I was a little kid. It started from my dad always asking me where I wanted to go and I would respond Stanford or Harvard. Harvard is too far away from where I live, so Stanford is my best bet. I've visited the campus, researched a LOT, and have everything ready to go. However, I know this doesn't mean I'm definitely going to get in but it's a "dream", just like Desi.
2) We both have a missing parent.
I don't really want to go into this because it'll take a while and bring out some things that I don't really feel like bringing out. I just want to say that a lot of books these days have a missing parent, for whatever reason (either they died or they left them) and I really appreciate that. I like feeling that there are people (even if they're fictional) who know how it feels, especially when they explain their emotions.
3) We're both Asian.
I feel like I had to put this in because of the lack of Asian characters in books these days. There is a large diverse character field in the Young Adult world but it's rare that you come across a Young Adult Asian novel, no matter what the genre. Yes, maybe a couple of the characters aren't Korean or Chinese but I really appreciate the diversity. I'm a huge Jenny Han lover and I really liked this aspect of this book.
4) We don't have boyfriends.
I just want to point out the fact that I'm just almost in high school, so this doesn't really apply. But all my friends have had boyfriends or have them now, and I can't relate. I definitely understood Desi's plight!
Moving on from similarities, because I can go on and on and on...
LIKES
I always try to start with the good first before moving on.
1) I loved the romantic tension. I don't know how else to explain it but I loved the DRAMA of it all. I loved Luca's character (AND HIS NAME) and I loved how real the emotions were in this book.
2) I liked the character development. The characters in this book were realistic and had the characteristics of modern teenagers now, such as growing up and rebelling against parents (face it, we all do it).
3) I liked the lightness of this book. I liked how it was fun to read and not terribly depressing or boring. I liked how it was easy and a quick novel.
4) There were certain parts of the book I loved. I liked the whole Luca thing and basically every time she was there. I liked all of the escapades and I liked all of the Wes and Desi barf couple thing.
DISLIKES
I wouldn't say these were dislikes but more like nagging little irritations that I just need to vent about.
1) Luca. I loved him but I also hated him at the same time. HE WAS SO UNROMANTIC. And yes, I must admit, it was SO real to life. You are NEVER going to meet a romantic guy like the ones in romance novels and Luca was so like real life guys that I almost want to cry at how unfair it is. But he was SO UNROMANTIC AND I HATED IT. I read romance novels for the FANTASY of it all.
2) I'm just gonna say it: I thought Desi was a very childish person. I don't know... the way she talked, the way she acted, everything about her was just so immature. This is similar to Lara Jean from To All the Boys I've Loved Before but in her case, she was innocently immature. Desi is more like straight-up a kid. She didn't seem like a teenager.
3) Luca again. I hate the stupid nicknames he calls Desi. "NERD" That annoyed me. As someone who is often categorized as a nerd, I know how it feels. And yes, maybe it was supposed to be seen as endearing or cute or charming and maybe it was to you but NOT TO ME. I hated it and I cringed mentally everytime I read that. He also says stupid things like "I LIKE YOUR HOT BRAIN" which literally TRIGGERED me (and now I cringing for using the word "triggered").
4) I thought that this whole plot was cliche. Yes, maybe that's a good thing because I like fluffy romances that end in happily ever after right after a couple of mishaps and breakups and tears and yayayayayaya. But it was predictable and while I don't think that's necessarily a BAD thing, I thought that the author could have put some effort into creating surprises or red herrings. Yes, I know this is a light read.
5) The dialogue in this book. The way that the characters talked annoyed me to no end. They used words that fit into a middle-school boy's general vocabulary. They were blunt, quick, and haphazardly written pieces of dialogue.
So yeah. I didn't hate this book, lemme just make that clear. I actually enjoyed it and am planning on reading Maurene Goo's other book (or is it books?). There were just a few faults that I found that weren't exactly the best thing in the world.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a light fluffy read.
Main Character: Desi
Sidekick(s): Luca, Wes, Fiona, etc
Villain(s): Love, misunderstandings, lying, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: All of this was very real to life.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- Easy read (4 hours)
- Definitely among the worst books I've read, both character and plot wise. Starting with the extremely unlikeable characters, there were so many issues. Desi was so manipulative, bordering on evil. The fact that she drew out a comprehensive that involved misrepresenting her character is insane.
She orchestrated a car crash to make a boy like her and the author portrayed this as romantic? Desi also used faux feminism to justify her actions and admitted to using her mother's death to get her way, just more lows among a series of lows. The love interest was annoying and spoiled. His dad was actually a responsible parent, and all he did was complain. He struck me as a privileged, sheltered, rich white boy. - There were occasional funny dialogues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
i liked it! i absolutely love kdramas so this was very fun and entertaining!
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so sweet and cute but I got a bit stuck in the middle cause I started getting so nervous about Luca finding out. So much second hand embarrassment.
But I loved her relationship with her dad so much.
But I loved her relationship with her dad so much.
This read was the one book by this author that I had not read before. It had a super cute concept and it was a cute read. I think using K drama concepts to land your man is a fun concept. I thought the overall this read was cute but some elements of this story came acrosss as being a bit manliptuve in geeneral as a character. I read through this book super quick but the story did not wow me it. I did like the characters overall!!