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A review by naisdayz
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
If You Still Recognize Me is often compared to the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman, though I don’t really understand why — besides the queer representation and ya/contemporary genre there aren’t any paralells, in my opinion.
I somewhat expected for the fandom-aspect to make me cringe a bit (as in that I’d feel like I’m reading an actual fan fiction), but I think it was executed really well (and realistically).
I was never really able to warm up to the subplot of Elsie trying to find Ada’s grandma’s friend, Theresa. Ada actually put it into words pretty well — it felt pretty invasive, and I didn’t really get why. That part of the book dragged it a bit for me, especially when Elsie used her and Ritika’s holiday to find more clues to where Theresa is. Like, really?
But I’m glad her and Ada talked about it, and Elsie seemed to have learned her lesson.
I really liked the side characters here as well, though I wish some of the relationships would have been a bit more fleshed out, like Elsie’s relationship to her dad.When the real reason for the lack of contact between her family and Uncle Kevin was revealed, I gasped. I need an Uncle Kevin in my life.
Also, during that second to last Interstitial I didn’t realize the letter was from the past, and thought Joan was going back to Hong Kong?? omg
If You Still Recognize Me was a pretty smooth read, even if it had some downs every once and awhile. I loved that, despite this being a romance novel, the platonic and familiar relationships weren’t pushed to the side for the sake of giving the entire spotlight to the romantic relationship. I loved the bond between the different characters, especially Ritika and Elsie.
The book also talks a lot about self-discovery and making mistakes, which I think is very important in a book with characters and an audience this young. It’s normal to not know who you are fully, and to make mistakes, but you have to own up to it.
I somewhat expected for the fandom-aspect to make me cringe a bit (as in that I’d feel like I’m reading an actual fan fiction), but I think it was executed really well (and realistically).
But I’m glad her and Ada talked about it, and Elsie seemed to have learned her lesson.
I really liked the side characters here as well, though I wish some of the relationships would have been a bit more fleshed out, like Elsie’s relationship to her dad.
If You Still Recognize Me was a pretty smooth read, even if it had some downs every once and awhile. I loved that, despite this being a romance novel, the platonic and familiar relationships weren’t pushed to the side for the sake of giving the entire spotlight to the romantic relationship. I loved the bond between the different characters, especially Ritika and Elsie.
The book also talks a lot about self-discovery and making mistakes, which I think is very important in a book with characters and an audience this young. It’s normal to not know who you are fully, and to make mistakes, but you have to own up to it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Toxic relationship