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marieintheraw's review
5.0
This is full on the perfect summer YA romcom read. It has the over the top antics that you expect as well as sweet moments. Plus, princess parties AND slight Beauty and the Beast vibes. What more can you ask for except for the tensions to rise.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
wrapmeupinplastic's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.5
seemadyal50's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.0
megnut's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
She's driven and ambitious... and while she has to learn to be less competitive and more willing to take risks, he doesn't want her to make herself smaller or less than her potential.
Need more stories like this for teens. ❤️
Need more stories like this for teens. ❤️
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
chivalricmaiden's review
4.0
While I usually avoid drawing comparisons, the parallel between "Enter Title Here" and "Once Upon a Quinceañera" pretty much encapsulates the essence of this book.
Now you may not know this, but this wasn't always a published work. I vividly recall encountering an earlier draft on a certain-website-that-shall-not-be-named during my 8th grade/freshman year. Back then, the narrative was centered around "Keeping Up with the Kapoors," with romance taking a backseat.
At that time in my life, I was a more outspoken, ambitious version of myself, unafraid of challenges. Kavya, the protagonist, resonated with me—she comprehended the nuances of my experiences, from navigating Asian-American expectations to our shared love for art. The anticipation of seeing this story on the shelves excited me, probably more than it should have.
While the buzz surrounds Ian Jun and the delicious dynamic with estranged-childhood-friends-turned-rivals, it's Kavya who steals the spotlight for me.
She serves as an inspiration, prompting self-reflection. I admit to not being in the best place over the past few years, and I sought solace in the familiarity of this book, anticipating a rekindling of my resilience.
However, instead of joy, I found myself grappling with regret.
I'm on a journey (???) of healing, attempting to overcome the guilt of not meeting societal and cultural expectations. The book, unfortunately, served as a reminder of the stark contrast between the achievements of my peers and my own struggles. Kavya, captivating as she is, left me with a bittersweet ache.
Now, the other half of the equation, Ian Jun, the love interest, left me... conflicted.
I'll be blunt — he's cute, but I don't really care for him. The attempt to present him as imperfect, despite his apparent flawlessness, feels forced. His narrative arc, encompassing suffering from success and the loss of his sister Grace, seems contrived for the sake of injecting angst. Not even his comments about "hating being called perfect" and "wanting to be passionate in something" made me feel sorry for him.
His anxiety portrayal was a nice aspect, although inconsistently depicted. Initially suave and confident, then suddenly a bundle of nerves—it was jarring. I grapple with severe anxiety myself, and recognize that anxiety isn't a monolith. However, the portrayal could’ve been handled better. Addressing sensitive subjects like anxiety without undermining their significance is challenging. However, I felt compelled to express this, despite its delicate nature.
In summary, Ian's "setbacks" are reduced to his sister's demise and his anxiety, which doesn't convincingly convey the imperfections of a supposedly perfect character. It's a good thing this book centers around Kavya more than it does him, I suppose. And Kavya is exactly why this book is rated so high.
Kavya Joshi you are MY heroine.
Now, enjoy some miscellaneous thoughts while reading:
- Do these girls even watch Sailor Moon? Like truly?
- These references are shoddily inserted...
- Ian speaking French is a turn off.
- Why do all the Korean characters have English names?? It's not wrong and isn't uncommon in America but...
- The romance scenes are cute, if only I cared more about Ian though lol
- Val is me. Poor Val. My precious girl. You deserve the world.
- I'm sick of cultural misogyny too, Kavs :(
- Is Samer a fellow Muslim?
- Their town must be excruciating small. Like, how are Kavya and Ian's lockers next to each other? And then Claudia's??
- I would love to be a party princess.
- Sometimes I don't know what is the plot is of this book.
- Oh there's a party. Typical.
- We need art in this book. I want to see ILLUSTRATIONS, especially Kavya's works.
- Subplots everywhere and dragged out scenes
_______
[2022]
Me defending this book:
Everyone has that guilty pleasure read. This is mine. Didn't invest myself in this story for the romance even though it's like the main hook. Honestly, I skimmed over the parts with Ian. I was here for my girl Kavya challenging family expectations and her adventures with friends.
_______
[2020]
Um, one of the most beautiful books is being published? Yes please!
Now you may not know this, but this wasn't always a published work. I vividly recall encountering an earlier draft on a certain-website-that-shall-not-be-named during my 8th grade/freshman year. Back then, the narrative was centered around "Keeping Up with the Kapoors," with romance taking a backseat.
At that time in my life, I was a more outspoken, ambitious version of myself, unafraid of challenges. Kavya, the protagonist, resonated with me—she comprehended the nuances of my experiences, from navigating Asian-American expectations to our shared love for art. The anticipation of seeing this story on the shelves excited me, probably more than it should have.
Spoiler
Lots of apologies, Lillie Vale. It haunts me till this day.While the buzz surrounds Ian Jun and the delicious dynamic with estranged-childhood-friends-turned-rivals, it's Kavya who steals the spotlight for me.
She serves as an inspiration, prompting self-reflection. I admit to not being in the best place over the past few years, and I sought solace in the familiarity of this book, anticipating a rekindling of my resilience.
However, instead of joy, I found myself grappling with regret.
I'm on a journey (???) of healing, attempting to overcome the guilt of not meeting societal and cultural expectations. The book, unfortunately, served as a reminder of the stark contrast between the achievements of my peers and my own struggles. Kavya, captivating as she is, left me with a bittersweet ache.
Now, the other half of the equation, Ian Jun, the love interest, left me... conflicted.
I'll be blunt — he's cute, but I don't really care for him. The attempt to present him as imperfect, despite his apparent flawlessness, feels forced. His narrative arc, encompassing suffering from success and the loss of his sister Grace, seems contrived for the sake of injecting angst. Not even his comments about "hating being called perfect" and "wanting to be passionate in something" made me feel sorry for him.
His anxiety portrayal was a nice aspect, although inconsistently depicted. Initially suave and confident, then suddenly a bundle of nerves—it was jarring. I grapple with severe anxiety myself, and recognize that anxiety isn't a monolith. However, the portrayal could’ve been handled better. Addressing sensitive subjects like anxiety without undermining their significance is challenging. However, I felt compelled to express this, despite its delicate nature.
In summary, Ian's "setbacks" are reduced to his sister's demise and his anxiety, which doesn't convincingly convey the imperfections of a supposedly perfect character. It's a good thing this book centers around Kavya more than it does him, I suppose. And Kavya is exactly why this book is rated so high.
Kavya Joshi you are MY heroine.
Now, enjoy some miscellaneous thoughts while reading:
- Do these girls even watch Sailor Moon? Like truly?
- These references are shoddily inserted...
- Ian speaking French is a turn off.
- Why do all the Korean characters have English names?? It's not wrong and isn't uncommon in America but...
- The romance scenes are cute, if only I cared more about Ian though lol
- Val is me. Poor Val. My precious girl. You deserve the world.
- I'm sick of cultural misogyny too, Kavs :(
- Is Samer a fellow Muslim?
- Their town must be excruciating small. Like, how are Kavya and Ian's lockers next to each other? And then Claudia's??
- I would love to be a party princess.
- Sometimes I don't know what is the plot is of this book.
- Oh there's a party. Typical.
- We need art in this book. I want to see ILLUSTRATIONS, especially Kavya's works.
- Subplots everywhere and dragged out scenes
_______
[2022]
Me defending this book:
Everyone has that guilty pleasure read. This is mine. Didn't invest myself in this story for the romance even though it's like the main hook. Honestly, I skimmed over the parts with Ian. I was here for my girl Kavya challenging family expectations and her adventures with friends.
_______
[2020]
Um, one of the most beautiful books is being published? Yes please!
akashe12's review
3.0
I’m definitely being more stingy with my stars this year but this was a really easy quick read.
I wanted to love Kavya but I just hate the “I’m really strong and smart but oblivious to social cues and have 0 emotional maturity” trope for girl characters.
How did she not see a panic attack and immediately see it for what it was?
I understand competition and ambition but those are not exclusive of empathy and compassion and basic decency.
By the end of the book she still doesn’t really know and understand Ian at all. How could she assume he’s throwing the book competition when she’d just literally realized she knows nothing about him?
She’s written more selfish and self-centred than anything else.
Even with Val she was just such a bad friend to her? She could have easily told Blair I think you should talk to her because she’s been feeling xyz but it’s not my place to get into it?
How were they not noticing the effort she put in to be around Rio? And even if it wasn’t a serious crush couldn’t she have asked Ian just once in passing?
Idk now that I’m reflecting on her behaviour and adding it up she was just really immature.
I wanted to love Kavya but I just hate the “I’m really strong and smart but oblivious to social cues and have 0 emotional maturity” trope for girl characters.
How did she not see a panic attack and immediately see it for what it was?
I understand competition and ambition but those are not exclusive of empathy and compassion and basic decency.
By the end of the book she still doesn’t really know and understand Ian at all. How could she assume he’s throwing the book competition when she’d just literally realized she knows nothing about him?
She’s written more selfish and self-centred than anything else.
Even with Val she was just such a bad friend to her? She could have easily told Blair I think you should talk to her because she’s been feeling xyz but it’s not my place to get into it?
How were they not noticing the effort she put in to be around Rio? And even if it wasn’t a serious crush couldn’t she have asked Ian just once in passing?
Idk now that I’m reflecting on her behaviour and adding it up she was just really immature.
_basicbookworm's review
3.0
Kavya has always been told she’s a little bit too much, but after a very public breakup with her boyfriend she decides to lay low for the summer. But when her school rival shows up at work to play the Prince Eric to her Ariel. Tired of the rivalry between Kavya and Ian, their friends plan a series of challenges for them to complete to bring them together. As they compete and spend more time together, they start to feel the chemistry between them sizzle.
First of all, let’s take a moment to appreciate this perfect cover. I love the colors, I love everything about it.
Now that we’ve taken a moment for the cover, let’s get to the story. I loved Kavya as a main character. She’s loud and bold and speaks her mind. She’s not perfect nor is she trying to be. I love how unapologetically herself she is and we need more characters like this. I adored all of the side characters and loved how they each had their own distinct characteristics and personalities. Despite their differences, the friends really supported each other and had a beautiful friendship.
I loved Kavya and Ian and how they pushed each other to be better, even when they were rivals. They had some great banter and were so much fun together.
If you are looking for a fun YA love story with great characters and amazing representation, then look no further! Thank you to Penguin Teen for the advance copy!
First of all, let’s take a moment to appreciate this perfect cover. I love the colors, I love everything about it.
Now that we’ve taken a moment for the cover, let’s get to the story. I loved Kavya as a main character. She’s loud and bold and speaks her mind. She’s not perfect nor is she trying to be. I love how unapologetically herself she is and we need more characters like this. I adored all of the side characters and loved how they each had their own distinct characteristics and personalities. Despite their differences, the friends really supported each other and had a beautiful friendship.
I loved Kavya and Ian and how they pushed each other to be better, even when they were rivals. They had some great banter and were so much fun together.
If you are looking for a fun YA love story with great characters and amazing representation, then look no further! Thank you to Penguin Teen for the advance copy!