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dvnielletreads's review against another edition
2.0
i really wanted to like this more.
i've gone back and forth with my rating for this for about a week, and i'm still at a loss for what i feel regarding it.
so i settled for the lesser of the two ratings i came up with, and we're gonna leave her here. : )
i wanted to like our characters, and for the most part i felt like i did. but then sometimes they did something so ridiculous i just had to sit and scratch my head at how i was supposed to be behind anyone here. ever was driven, and her love for dance and her determination to live out her life as her own was truly admirable. rick was - the main male love interest (WHO CASUALLY HAS A STEADY GIRLFRIEND. BUT YOU READ THAT RIGHT. MAIN. LOVE INTEREST). i will say he's easy to grow to love as the story goes on. xavier is probably the most interesting character of the bunch that we get immediate closeness with, but he definitely lacks a lot of common sense when it comes to "hey how do i casually Not seem sleazy." but he has growth, and that's all that matters. he tried.
and sophie? haha.
JUST A BIT OF A RANT.
i will say that this book had everything going for it regarding details, and visualizing the world around the kids. i honestly can't imagine something like this existing - but the author has stated that she went on something similar to loveboat in real life, which blows my freaking mind. the story seemed almost larger than life sometimes; hell, even the premise did too. but take that with a grain of salt. it, for the most part, was still a pretty read.
the romance was...certainly insta-love. of course there's a love triangle. (it's a young adult novel, after all.) betrayal of the most juvenile variety? you betcha. the way i didn't dnf this is the same energy that people marathon reality tv and its drama because our lives are never that bad. :'D
i truly need to stop giving contemporary romances a chance, though. i'd rather chew my toe off than have to sit through another bout of avoidable, juvenile drama from adults for the sake of upping the page count. it's almost always thrown in as a cop-out, and wrapped up in a pretty little bow in a minuscule amount of time. i can't. i cannot.
i've gone back and forth with my rating for this for about a week, and i'm still at a loss for what i feel regarding it.
so i settled for the lesser of the two ratings i came up with, and we're gonna leave her here. : )
i wanted to like our characters, and for the most part i felt like i did. but then sometimes they did something so ridiculous i just had to sit and scratch my head at how i was supposed to be behind anyone here. ever was driven, and her love for dance and her determination to live out her life as her own was truly admirable. rick was - the main male love interest (WHO CASUALLY HAS A STEADY GIRLFRIEND. BUT YOU READ THAT RIGHT. MAIN. LOVE INTEREST). i will say he's easy to grow to love as the story goes on. xavier is probably the most interesting character of the bunch that we get immediate closeness with, but he definitely lacks a lot of common sense when it comes to "hey how do i casually Not seem sleazy." but he has growth, and that's all that matters. he tried.
and sophie? haha.
JUST A BIT OF A RANT.
Spoiler
HOW THE ACTUAL FLYING FUCK SHOULD ANY OF US FEEL BAD FOR SOPHIE AFTER WHAT SHE DID. I'M SORRY? YOU'RE UPSET BECAUSE THE GUY YOU LIKE DOESN'T LIKE YOU, SO YOU PRINT OUT NUDE PICTURES OF EVER WITHOUT PERMISSION AND PASS THEM AROUND AS REVENGE?! I'M SORRY?! yeah, after that i couldn't wait to be through with sophie and that ENTIRE load of bullshit. what the fuck. what the FUCK. if the sequel is about her i'm going to Lose it. i don't care that her and ever make up. i don't care. there's just some things you don't do and what she did to ever is absolutely on the list.i will say that this book had everything going for it regarding details, and visualizing the world around the kids. i honestly can't imagine something like this existing - but the author has stated that she went on something similar to loveboat in real life, which blows my freaking mind. the story seemed almost larger than life sometimes; hell, even the premise did too. but take that with a grain of salt. it, for the most part, was still a pretty read.
the romance was...certainly insta-love. of course there's a love triangle. (it's a young adult novel, after all.) betrayal of the most juvenile variety? you betcha. the way i didn't dnf this is the same energy that people marathon reality tv and its drama because our lives are never that bad. :'D
i truly need to stop giving contemporary romances a chance, though. i'd rather chew my toe off than have to sit through another bout of avoidable, juvenile drama from adults for the sake of upping the page count. it's almost always thrown in as a cop-out, and wrapped up in a pretty little bow in a minuscule amount of time. i can't. i cannot.
classicsquidney's review against another edition
4.0
Loveboat, Taipei is a story of Ever Wong who is sent to a summer program in Taipei against her will. Her parents sent her there thinking it was a prestigious program where she would study for college the whole time, however, it turns out that it is full of partying and very little supervision. This story is all about Ever trying to find herself and become more confident in who she is and who she wants to be. I will be honest and say that the first half or two thirds annoyed me to no end. The characters were unlikeable and I hated the romance. However, as the story went on and I learned more about character backstories, and as the characters themselves grew into stronger people, I started to love it. The character growth itself was so powerful that it completely turned around my views of this story and made me love it!
Pros: Extreme character growth for most of the characters, the culture and how well it was shown.
Cons: The characters were so unlikable at the beginning that I seriously thought about not finishing it.
Full Review: https://classicsquidney.com/2020/04/16/loveboat-taipei/
Pros: Extreme character growth for most of the characters, the culture and how well it was shown.
Cons: The characters were so unlikable at the beginning that I seriously thought about not finishing it.
Full Review: https://classicsquidney.com/2020/04/16/loveboat-taipei/
kallmekirby's review against another edition
4.0
About 60% of the book I was entertained, but not amazed. But that last 40% wrecked me - I cried and loved every minute of Ever's true journey at the end. 4.5 stars.
gabbysnieto's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
danicapage's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.5
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I went into this one with no expectations. I had no clue what to expect. I ended up really loving this one. I'd say that this is an upper YA or younger NA read. I love books that explore identity and self-discovery and coming-of-age stories, stories where characters discover who they are. I loved the main character. She was great. This is a YA/NA romance story, but it also dives into a lot more than that.
A character in this book (FMC of book 2) made a huge mistake and awful decision that I wish had been more fully explored here. That oversight is why I give this a 4.5 instead of a 5.
I loved how she wove in discussions on immigration, race/racism, model minority, family/immigrant pressures, and Asian stereotypes so seamlessly. I immediately jumped into book two after finishing this.
Content: Some high-level sexual content appropriate for 16+. Drinking and some strong language.
Love,
Danica Page
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I went into this one with no expectations. I had no clue what to expect. I ended up really loving this one. I'd say that this is an upper YA or younger NA read. I love books that explore identity and self-discovery and coming-of-age stories, stories where characters discover who they are. I loved the main character. She was great. This is a YA/NA romance story, but it also dives into a lot more than that.
A character in this book (FMC of book 2) made a huge mistake and awful decision that I wish had been more fully explored here. That oversight is why I give this a 4.5 instead of a 5.
I loved how she wove in discussions on immigration, race/racism, model minority, family/immigrant pressures, and Asian stereotypes so seamlessly. I immediately jumped into book two after finishing this.
Content: Some high-level sexual content appropriate for 16+. Drinking and some strong language.
Love,
Danica Page
callieju's review against another edition
5.0
The message of this book was great! the plot was so original and i loved all of complexity with the characters, can’t wait for book 2!
bennse2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Coming of age
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A girl. Big plans for summer. But then she is sent to summerschool in Taiwan. How will Ever survive this summer?
I already had my sights on this book and then I saw many of my friends rave about this book. I knew then I just had to get it. Thankfully the book was out in paperback (my preferred format) and I could get it. I read it. And I just loved it to bits.
Meet Ever. A sweet and passionate girl with parents who have big plans for her future. Ever in the meantime just wants to dance. To make a career out of it and do it for her whole life. Her parents so don't agree and my heart broke for Ever. I know my parents had high expectations but at least they still let me choose my own ways. This was just extreme. Ever is looking forward to one last summer with dancing as she doesn't dare to tell her parents she was also accepted at an arts/dance college. But then plans are thrown over and she is shipped off to Taiwan for a summer of learning.
Or so Ever thinks, but this summer is the one that will decide her future, will have break loose from the confines of her strict parents (and then especially her mom). I loved seeing how Ever decided to do things she cannot do. She is afraid, which I could understand so well because it is scary to try out new things, and although you know your parents may not be able to do something instantly there is still this cloud hanging over you. They may find out, and they probably will even. Thankfully, they are far away so they can't immediately chew you out.
I was so proud of Ever trying out new things, and doing things she never dared to do at home. Seeing her dance all the moves, seeing her try out new things, I loved it.
Though, sure there were times that I was shaking my head at her decisions. Decisions like that one photo shoot, or the ones involving Rick or Xavier. I felt like she should take decisions a bit more slowly and think about them more.
While I know most of these kids weren't too enthused with the summer school, I actually found it was really cool and I wish I could go. It sounds amazing, especially when one can also explore a whole country, make friends, and maybe find that fated person to love.
Something that hasn't happened yet, and I have read a lot of books, I loved the love triangle. Holy. Wow. Everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely detest love triangles. I find them annoying, a bother, and meh. But in this one? I actually loved it. I knew who she was going to end up with that was just so easily to read. But yet I kept shipping her with the other guy as well. Because they made quite the cute couple. I loved both Xavier and Rick. They each had their charms. Rick was tough, an athlete with tons of smarts as well and he is a real golden boy. Then we have Xavier who seems like a big player (he even reminded me a bit of one of my exes), but then he turns out to have deep waters running through him. I loved that we found out tons of things about both guys which in turn made me ship them with Ever even further. Plus, I love the interactions between Ever x Xavier and Ever x Rick. They were all just too adorable and cute and at times I was just squeeing out loud.
So a big big round of applause for the author for writing this love triangle and making it so good even I loved it to bits.
I loved the idea of the Loveboat. How kids in this summerschool did their learning, but then had dates, hook-ups, went out during the night (in epic ways as the school was of course kind of trying to not let them go). How most of them found their respective partners for life at this school. At the Loveboat.
Sure, I wasn't such a big fan of the parents. But I guess that is the point of the book. I understand that you want the best for your kid, that you have big dreams of her following in your footsteps (in the case of the father), however to just send her to Taiwan without warning, send her to a country where she cannot even speak most of the language? That is just excessive. And throughout the book they kept controlling her in ways. However, I am happy with the ending. I am glad that her dad was able to open his eyes and I hope that mom will also see it.
Sophie was a character I loved. She was sweet and fun and I loved how she and Ever just clicked together. I loved seeing Sophie try to get Ever out of her shell. To get her to do all the things her parents would have never let her do.
But then something happened and my love for Sophie just dropped into the ground. I understand that she is angry. I understand that it isn't fun to walk into that. But to decide that this was the preferred solution was just too damned hurtful. Instead of talking, or raging in an angry fit, she did that.
I loved reading about the food, the houses, about the surrounding area and also seeing various parts of Taiwan. I do hope to one day go there and this one has lit up the fire even further. Plus, there is a lot of exploring of her heritage and her feelings on being Chinese-American. Very interesting to read.
The ending and what Ever and her friends decided to do? LOVED IT. What a wonderful group of teens that they decide to do this and then go full out for it as well. Not taking back their promises, oh no, these teens went for it. I wish I could have seen the performances and seen a certain person's art, but I guess I will just have to do with my imagination that activates when I read the descriptions by the author.
Phew, I could probably rave about this book even more, I just LOVED it so much. I flew through it and couldn't stop reading until I finished it all. Now I want even more. I would highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a gorgeously written book with fun/likeable characters, dancing (which I love, though by no means as professional as Ever), romance, and finding out who you are and what your future will be.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I already had my sights on this book and then I saw many of my friends rave about this book. I knew then I just had to get it. Thankfully the book was out in paperback (my preferred format) and I could get it. I read it. And I just loved it to bits.
Meet Ever. A sweet and passionate girl with parents who have big plans for her future. Ever in the meantime just wants to dance. To make a career out of it and do it for her whole life. Her parents so don't agree and my heart broke for Ever. I know my parents had high expectations but at least they still let me choose my own ways. This was just extreme. Ever is looking forward to one last summer with dancing as she doesn't dare to tell her parents she was also accepted at an arts/dance college. But then plans are thrown over and she is shipped off to Taiwan for a summer of learning.
Or so Ever thinks, but this summer is the one that will decide her future, will have break loose from the confines of her strict parents (and then especially her mom). I loved seeing how Ever decided to do things she cannot do. She is afraid, which I could understand so well because it is scary to try out new things, and although you know your parents may not be able to do something instantly there is still this cloud hanging over you. They may find out, and they probably will even. Thankfully, they are far away so they can't immediately chew you out.
I was so proud of Ever trying out new things, and doing things she never dared to do at home. Seeing her dance all the moves, seeing her try out new things, I loved it.
Though, sure there were times that I was shaking my head at her decisions. Decisions like that one photo shoot, or the ones involving Rick or Xavier. I felt like she should take decisions a bit more slowly and think about them more.
While I know most of these kids weren't too enthused with the summer school, I actually found it was really cool and I wish I could go. It sounds amazing, especially when one can also explore a whole country, make friends, and maybe find that fated person to love.
Something that hasn't happened yet, and I have read a lot of books, I loved the love triangle. Holy. Wow. Everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely detest love triangles. I find them annoying, a bother, and meh. But in this one? I actually loved it. I knew who she was going to end up with that was just so easily to read. But yet I kept shipping her with the other guy as well. Because they made quite the cute couple. I loved both Xavier and Rick. They each had their charms. Rick was tough, an athlete with tons of smarts as well and he is a real golden boy. Then we have Xavier who seems like a big player (he even reminded me a bit of one of my exes), but then he turns out to have deep waters running through him. I loved that we found out tons of things about both guys which in turn made me ship them with Ever even further. Plus, I love the interactions between Ever x Xavier and Ever x Rick. They were all just too adorable and cute and at times I was just squeeing out loud.
So a big big round of applause for the author for writing this love triangle and making it so good even I loved it to bits.
I loved the idea of the Loveboat. How kids in this summerschool did their learning, but then had dates, hook-ups, went out during the night (in epic ways as the school was of course kind of trying to not let them go). How most of them found their respective partners for life at this school. At the Loveboat.
Sure, I wasn't such a big fan of the parents. But I guess that is the point of the book. I understand that you want the best for your kid, that you have big dreams of her following in your footsteps (in the case of the father), however to just send her to Taiwan without warning, send her to a country where she cannot even speak most of the language? That is just excessive. And throughout the book they kept controlling her in ways. However, I am happy with the ending. I am glad that her dad was able to open his eyes and I hope that mom will also see it.
Sophie was a character I loved. She was sweet and fun and I loved how she and Ever just clicked together. I loved seeing Sophie try to get Ever out of her shell. To get her to do all the things her parents would have never let her do.
But then something happened and my love for Sophie just dropped into the ground. I understand that she is angry. I understand that it isn't fun to walk into that. But to decide that this was the preferred solution was just too damned hurtful. Instead of talking, or raging in an angry fit, she did that.
I loved reading about the food, the houses, about the surrounding area and also seeing various parts of Taiwan. I do hope to one day go there and this one has lit up the fire even further. Plus, there is a lot of exploring of her heritage and her feelings on being Chinese-American. Very interesting to read.
The ending and what Ever and her friends decided to do? LOVED IT. What a wonderful group of teens that they decide to do this and then go full out for it as well. Not taking back their promises, oh no, these teens went for it. I wish I could have seen the performances and seen a certain person's art, but I guess I will just have to do with my imagination that activates when I read the descriptions by the author.
Phew, I could probably rave about this book even more, I just LOVED it so much. I flew through it and couldn't stop reading until I finished it all. Now I want even more. I would highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a gorgeously written book with fun/likeable characters, dancing (which I love, though by no means as professional as Ever), romance, and finding out who you are and what your future will be.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
jaimeitw's review against another edition
3.0
Read this cos I was intrigued by the trailer for the upcoming film adaptation. Relatable characters who struggle with a sense of duty towards their family and a duty to themselves. I think the setting had a lot of potential but I understand that it wasn't used to its fullest extent so that we could explore the characters and their backgrounds more.