A review by sempiternal_books
Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi

4.0

More than anything, this book was relatable. On one page I was annoyed by the main character, Pablo, thinking about what a jerk he is, but on the next, I was seeing myself reflected off the pages.

Permanent Record is the story of Pablo, a 20-year-old college drop out. He works the graveyard shift at a bodega in Brooklyn, and one-night pop star Leanna Smart comes in, and well, they obviously fall madly in love. The romance felt very realistic. Mary H. K. Choi considers the way social media influences people’s relationships.

This book captured what it’s like to be at the beginning of adulthood. Pablo is just trying to figure his life out, but he has no idea what he’s doing. He runs away from his problems rather than facing them. (I was so frustrated by this, I was like “Dude stop hiding from your issues and do something about them.) But Pablo is flawed, just like everyone else. Which is one of the reasons I really liked reading about his character. I didn’t always agree or approve but that’s what makes a character feel real.