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lisa_ella 's review for:
Never Thought I'd End Up Here
by Ann Liang
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang is such a layered YA romance that surprised me in so many ways. At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Leah — she’s prickly, defensive, and very wrapped up in her looks after years of modeling. But the more I read, the more I understood her. She’s a girl carrying a ton of insecurities: about her family’s expectations, her struggles with Mandarin, her past humiliation, and the relentless pressure of being "the pretty one." I related to her desire to control how others saw her, even if it meant hiding parts of herself.
Cyrus was such an interesting character. Leah spends much of the book convinced he ruined her life, but then little by little, we see the truth unravel. Their dynamic is messy, tense, and full of banter that slowly softens into vulnerability. I especially loved their moments during the competitions — where their teamwork and trust slowly began to rebuild. By the time Cyrus’s confession came out, my heart hurt for both of them.
The book also really shines in its exploration of identity and family. Leah’s shame around her Mandarin, her mother’s tough love, and her aunt’s constant judgment felt painfully real. The cultural elements of the trip made the setting vivid without ever feeling like just a backdrop.
That said, I didn’t give it five stars because at times the drama dragged on a little too long. Leah’s mistrust of Cyrus, while understandable, got repetitive in some chapters. I found myself wishing the two could just sit down and talk things through sooner, because the truth about the past felt stretched out for the sake of tension. It would have been nice to see their relationship develop beyond that. Still, the payoff was emotional and satisfying once everything came to light.
Overall, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is more than just a romance — it’s about letting go of other people’s versions of you and figuring out who you want to be. Leah and Cyrus’s story is messy, heartfelt, and healing, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them by the end.
Cyrus was such an interesting character. Leah spends much of the book convinced he ruined her life, but then little by little, we see the truth unravel. Their dynamic is messy, tense, and full of banter that slowly softens into vulnerability. I especially loved their moments during the competitions — where their teamwork and trust slowly began to rebuild. By the time Cyrus’s confession came out, my heart hurt for both of them.
The book also really shines in its exploration of identity and family. Leah’s shame around her Mandarin, her mother’s tough love, and her aunt’s constant judgment felt painfully real. The cultural elements of the trip made the setting vivid without ever feeling like just a backdrop.
That said, I didn’t give it five stars because at times the drama dragged on a little too long. Leah’s mistrust of Cyrus, while understandable, got repetitive in some chapters. I found myself wishing the two could just sit down and talk things through sooner, because the truth about the past felt stretched out for the sake of tension. It would have been nice to see their relationship develop beyond that. Still, the payoff was emotional and satisfying once everything came to light.
Overall, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is more than just a romance — it’s about letting go of other people’s versions of you and figuring out who you want to be. Leah and Cyrus’s story is messy, heartfelt, and healing, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail