A review by i_readsandbujos
If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So

emotional funny 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? No

4.25

Cynthia So's "If You Still Recognize Me" is a sweet sapphic love story about friends reuniting after being out of touch over time and continents. This story follows Elsie whose grandmother comes from Hong Kong to live with her family in England. She has a long distance crush on her internet friend Ada who she bonded with over the comic Eden Recoiling and the fanfiction that Ada writes.   However, Joan, Elsie's childhood best friend, re-enters her life after spending several years in Hong Kong.

Parallel to Elsie and Joan's rekindled friendship, the novel uses letters to tell the story of Theresa and Rebecca, Ada's grandmother and her long-lost pen pal. Elsie and Joan use the summer to search for Rebecca and rekindle their friendship or possibly more.

In addition to the love story, So weaves in Elsie's journey about her identity as a queer person of Asian descent and the prejudices her family and friends may carry. The author's skillful storytelling and parallel narratives create a compelling exploration of reconnection and self-discovery. With its themes of love, friendship, and the power of finding oneself, this book is a heartfelt story about family, friends, and love.