A review by danicapage
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I went into this one with no expectations. I had no clue what to expect. I ended up really loving this one. I'd say that this is an upper YA or younger NA read. I love books that explore identity and self-discovery and coming-of-age stories, stories where characters discover who they are. I loved the main character. She was great. This is a YA/NA romance story, but it also dives into a lot more than that.

A character in this book (FMC of book 2) made a huge mistake and awful decision that I wish had been more fully explored here. That oversight is why I give this a 4.5 instead of a 5.

I loved how she wove in discussions on immigration, race/racism, model minority, family/immigrant pressures, and Asian stereotypes so seamlessly. I immediately jumped into book two after finishing this.

Content: Some high-level sexual content appropriate for 16+. Drinking and some strong language.

Love,

Danica Page