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achay91's review against another edition
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, Dementia, and Cancer
panic_at_the_bookshelf's review
funny
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
This book is perfect when you are in need of a light and fluffy read. It's filled with funny scenes, soft moments and deals with healing from grief in such a wonderful way. It sure helped me focus on the beautiful memories of lost loved ones instead of only the pain that comes along with grief.
It was also interesting to read more about parts of Chinese and specifically Singaporean culture.
It was also interesting to read more about parts of Chinese and specifically Singaporean culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Addiction
Minor: Car accident, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
abitofcourage's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Racism
wrongdecision's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A lighthearted, sweet quick read with a (positively) surprising amount of information about Chinese culture.
I enjoyed this book very much for it's easy conversations, the friendships and the importance of family.
It was comforting to read for the most part and the characters were sweet and easily lovable.
While the social media, pop and meme references were a little too much for me at times, mostly they fit in and weren't too on the nose.
What I really, really enjoyed were actually the many little tid bits of information on Chinese culture, in reference to food but also traditions and beliefs as well as do's and dont's!
It was super interesting!
Sadly, I think the main part of this book, the romance itself, fell flat.
If the author had just gone a little bit more into detail about feelings it could have worked much better.
There is a lot of tell instead of show, partially a result of it being first person, but I don't really buy the emotions.
Dylan spends more time thinking about how he shouldn't show his feelings than actually showing his feelings and it gets a little repetitive.
Sure there are short moments of excitement and being flustered but the rest just doesn't come across very well.
You notice it much better with Theo, which in turn makes it a little more frustrating that Dylan isn't catching on.
The pacing is a bit off as well.
Many scenes feel like the author wanted to do something with it, make it special and meaningful but didn't want to go all the way so it is sometimes a little short and dry, more like you would write to yourself in a diary.
It's a pity, because a few extra details go a long way in making the reader feel like a part of it.
As a result the plot gets lost a few times.
In general I liked reading it, it was entertaining, informative and sweet!
Seeing as this is the author's debut novel I think it is a great start and I'm hopeful for future books!
I enjoyed this book very much for it's easy conversations, the friendships and the importance of family.
It was comforting to read for the most part and the characters were sweet and easily lovable.
While the social media, pop and meme references were a little too much for me at times, mostly they fit in and weren't too on the nose.
What I really, really enjoyed were actually the many little tid bits of information on Chinese culture, in reference to food but also traditions and beliefs as well as do's and dont's!
It was super interesting!
Sadly, I think the main part of this book, the romance itself, fell flat.
If the author had just gone a little bit more into detail about feelings it could have worked much better.
There is a lot of tell instead of show, partially a result of it being first person, but I don't really buy the emotions.
Dylan spends more time thinking about how he shouldn't show his feelings than actually showing his feelings and it gets a little repetitive.
Sure there are short moments of excitement and being flustered but the rest just doesn't come across very well.
You notice it much better with Theo, which in turn makes it a little more frustrating that Dylan isn't catching on.
The pacing is a bit off as well.
Many scenes feel like the author wanted to do something with it, make it special and meaningful but didn't want to go all the way so it is sometimes a little short and dry, more like you would write to yourself in a diary.
It's a pity, because a few extra details go a long way in making the reader feel like a part of it.
As a result the plot gets lost a few times.
In general I liked reading it, it was entertaining, informative and sweet!
Seeing as this is the author's debut novel I think it is a great start and I'm hopeful for future books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
purely_romantic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
ruthiedr89's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Classism, Death, and Death of parent
mirandyli's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is the lighthearted queer Asian YA romcom that is perfect when you need a mental health boost. Super fast read and an adorable story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Addiction, Cancer, Grief, Racism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Classism
evie_lake's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
For fellow vegans out there - there is a lot of descriptions of animal-based food being prepared or eaten.dizzymissruby's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
picked this up as yet another queer asian book and i love mooncakes. had no idea that the author and the main character are singaporean, like me. i would describe this book a mix of red, white & royal blue (sneaking around after hours in a famous museum?) and crazy rich asians (middle class & upper class, attending a wedding together, a mean “ex” who manipulatively tries to break them up, uptight parent intimidating the partner into breaking up, dramatic surprise reunion), except the characters are more racially diverse than CRA, representative of the actual ethnic makeup in singapore
it was so cool seeing my home foods - nasi goreng, calamansi, pomelo, gula melaka - being talked about, famous spots - marina bay sands, changi airport (taken that direct 18hr singapore airlines flight to and from nyc one too many times), jewel, hawker centers in general - being name dropped and even a mention of our famous architect moshe safdie. loved the small bit of singlish dropped in too (lah!). it was also another personal touch for me that this was set in new york, where all of my mom’s side of the family lives, but specifically brooklyn where all of my chinese relatives live too, one even in sunset park. like dylan, i lost my mom to cancer as well not too long ago and my family in new york has taken me in so warmly and made me feel like one of their own daughters.
one of my favorite things about this book was the complete lack of homophobia. it was never an issue for anyone in their families, being queer felt so natural and normal in this universe, never treated in any way like something different - so incredibly refreshing and we need more queer books like this. it especially warmed my heart to see how accepting dylan’s grandparents in singapore are of him, since homosexuality was still illegal up until a few years ago and there is still no recognition of same sex partners because the older generation are very steadfast in their “asian traditions” as they call it.
i also loved learning about all the food aunt jade and dylan make, especially as a huge asian foodie myself who loves trying new recipes. i can’t wait to try making their once in a blue mooncake recipe sometime!
idk if this was really a review, more just me gushing about what i loved and related to bc i want to remember it all. but i did love the story of dylan and theo, i appreciate a good use of tropes like fake dating, one bed, miscommunication and breakups. i could really feel how much they were crushing on each other so strongly just through dylan’s eyes. this book is probably my new favorite queer ya :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
melist6's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death of parent