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axel_p's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Panic attacks/disorders
wardenred's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Feel free to tell your nosy aunt to mind her own business…but what’s holding you back?”
I shrug. “He lives in a huge mansion and drives a Ferrari. I ride a bike with a squeaky front wheel. Our worlds are as far apart as the sun and the moon.”
“They align every now and then,” Aunt Jade points out. “Eclipses are pretty memorable.”
In many ways, this was an amazingly cute and witty YA romcom. I smiled and got emotional so many times while I read it. The characters grew quickly on me, especially Dylan, and I enjoyed reading about their very different family lives: Dylan's for that great family feel where a bunch of people are genuinely loving and supportive, Theo's for the glorious mess. There was a lot of cozy foodie stuff, a lot of interesting cultural details about Singapore, and the mutual pining-fueled fake dating trope was executed so well. I feel like the part of the story that focuses on Dylan's grief was handled sensitively and relatably.
However, there were some problems here and there that broke my immersion sometimes. One of them was how injecting all those interesting cultural details was handled: a bit heavy-handed. I guess all those mini-lectures made sense, since Theo was explicitly looking to learn about his heritage and Dylan was helping him. But they still often felt like mini-lectures inserted into the narrative instead of a genuine part of it.
Another was the approach to the whole class difference things. Some aspects of it were definitely glossed over, and sometimes people like Dylan's family just acted like the problem was entirely in Dylan's head and he should simply embrace the romance with Theo. Despite the fact that Theo is just throwing money at problems left and right, and Dylan's family is struggling. Though this brings me to another point: I feel like the story might ring better if Dylan was just average, not struggling. Because the struggles get brought up when it matters to the plot, such as when Dylan should get to swoop in and save the family's business, and the rest of the time Dylan and his cousin are all, "Trendy haircuts in salons! Favorite band's concerts and merch!" without any of it being a problem, or a reason to then cut back on something else, etc. That... doesn't match my own experience with major we're-about-to-lose-everything financial struggles.
Finally, something that detracted from my investment in the boys' relationship was Theo's friendship with Adrian that harder ever wavered despite all the shitty things Adrian did. I wish the shittiness was acknowledged and dealt with better, instead of sweeping a lot of it under the rug. Although the more I think of it, the more I kind of understand why Theo holds on to this friendship like this and treats Adrian's shittiness like this. It makes sense for the character, but I wish there was still a bit more focus on how this isn't okay.
All in all, though? Lots of cuteness, very tropey in a good way, awful rich people problems are amusing, and it was great that no matter what messes built up around the two leads, homophobia was never part of the equation. A nice and easy summer read to finish off June.
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, Cancer, and Racism
evelynyle_88's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Yeah, she maybe has issues... but, I tried to understand herself and why she became like that. After all, I love in the end that she turns out to be a better person after rehab. Plus, the mooncakes making and the authentic feels about being Indonesian; as a part of Asians country when some cuisines and culinary ingredients from my country, Indonesia... appeared and written in the book.
This is a simple book with a sweet romance like Heartstopper and a conflict like Crazy Rich Asians indeed. And I love how Theo finally choose Dylan over his domineering father, Malcolm Somers. He is adulting and I love that!
I applaud Sher Lee for bringing the Asian heritage to a work of fiction. This book for me isn't just about a cute romance, but also... find a way to win someone's heart. And the most important thing is... the knowledges from the Chinese (Singaporean) cuisines. I love learning Singaporean Chinese culture from their cuisines.
Thank you, Sher! This book is a 5⭐ worthy. Indeed! Literally sweet; just like the mooncakes.
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Addiction, Dementia, and Racism
pey333's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Alcoholism, Grief, Car accident, and Cancer
Minor: Sexual content, Abandonment, Addiction, Racism, and Dementia
inkandmuses's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, and Car accident
thelostartofsecretkeeping's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Cancer, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Death of parent
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“Giving your heart to someone is like learning to ride a bike. You’ll skin your elbows and knees, but the pain will pass. You’ll heal. And one day, the scars will be a memory, not of failing, but of getting up again.”
It's truly an adorable, heart-warming and touching story about family, grief, Chinese cultures, delicious food and sizzling romance!
The plot flows smoothly and the writing style is easy to read which makes it so hard to put down. Detail descriptions of the foods successfully makes me feel hungry and crave for those foods as I read this book.
I also love the Chinese culture representation about the family traditions and foods, like the xiao long bao and the legends behind the mooncakes itself. The story also brings out the 'Crazy Rich Asian' vibes with Theo's relatives glamourous lifestyle.
The main characters (Dylan and Theo) are so adorable and I like their growing chemistry with one another as the story progresses.
At first glance, they look completely different but after getting to know each other, turns out they’re not so different after all.
The secondary characters - Dylan's family and Theo's relatives are also very well developed and really liven up the story.
I love seeing the strong bond and easy-going interaction in Dylan’s family, they care for each other and really support one another. I also like how welcoming they are to Theo.
Not just a fluffy and funny romance, this book also has its touching and emotional moments like getting to know Theo’s family and past as well as Dylan’s grief over losing her mother.
Overall, for a debut novel this is a fantastic story with a satisfying ending and a small shocking surprise.
It’s highly recommended for readers who are looking for a light hearted cuisine queer rom com story with fake dating and found family tropes!
I'm really looking forward in reading the next book from this author in the future!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Car accident, Racism, and Dementia
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Addiction, Racism, and Dementia
bookswithca's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Classism, Grief, and Racism