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olittlebeasto 's review for:
Dear Wendy
by Ann Zhao
oh wow, so much to unpack here!
ima try and leave a very honest review.
first off some negative things that stuck out to me:
- i missed some depth in the characters. i feel like we didnt get to know much abt them aside from what was necessary for the plot. more scenes like jo asking their moms to pick them up or sophies talks with professor fineman; stuff like that to show us what theyre actually like
- as a non-native speaker and also someone who never went to an american highschool- some abbreviations were confusing to me. i wouldve loved it if thered been an index or sth so i could just go back there to remind myself what it stands for
- i wouldve liked to read some more convos. i feel like they were summarised most of the times and i feel like writing some of them out wouldve given us a better picture of what the characters are like. or maybe some inner monologues about something off-topic, f.e. their weird hobbies/quirks. all the “unimportened information” no one would ask to know about
and heres what made me give this book 5 stars:
- aro AND ace characters???? a-spec rep???? 99.9% queer!! (we love and see you, theo) im soo happy
- a FRIENDSHIP thats the main plot? cant remember the last time i read a book abt a non-romantic main plot, this made me soooo happy!
- it feels so relatable! thoughts, concerns, insecurities.
- the characters are soooo cute, i was literally squeeling at times, i feel a little silly
- the acc-idea is soooo good! especially since most a-spec ppl i know end up in a weird relationship-adviser position not knowing why anyone wants suggestions from THEM of all people. and honestly all the thoughts and explanations in the story are so on point. i was just happy reading about all of this
- this whole story is just a hppy vibe. idk how to explain it, its just wholesome
- the bracelet scene???? i was a sobbing mess!!
- and when they talked about how its hard when your identity is basically about NOT having/experiencing something? i felt soo seen! this is a convo ive had quite a couple of times!
- a friend of mine asked me once why most ppl were understanding when a person went through a breakup. like how theyre all “its okay to be really heartbroken, take your time. of course i wont judge if you dont leave ypur bed for three days! its gonna be okay. itll take time but it will be okay, dont worry!” but when being told that someone is going through a friend-breakup its more of a “dont be a baby about it, you’ll find another friens”. and honestly, it stuck with me. friendships or any type of love can be a reason for a heartbreak. it doesnt have to be romantical to hurt very bad. and i feel like the strength of platonic relationships was really well represented within this story, how important and valid they are.
- this feels closest to another aroace person reassuring me that im not alone in the way im feeling that ive had this far. it feels like the a-spec community is finally finding thir ways to one another and its making me so happy
- lastly—i just have to mention it—the acknowledgment was so cute. i feel like that was a very sincere note and i loved it!
so yeah, thats my review! definitely would recommend! i loved the book and i hope to see more work by Ann Zhao soon!
ima try and leave a very honest review.
first off some negative things that stuck out to me:
- i missed some depth in the characters. i feel like we didnt get to know much abt them aside from what was necessary for the plot. more scenes like jo asking their moms to pick them up or sophies talks with professor fineman; stuff like that to show us what theyre actually like
- as a non-native speaker and also someone who never went to an american highschool- some abbreviations were confusing to me. i wouldve loved it if thered been an index or sth so i could just go back there to remind myself what it stands for
- i wouldve liked to read some more convos. i feel like they were summarised most of the times and i feel like writing some of them out wouldve given us a better picture of what the characters are like. or maybe some inner monologues about something off-topic, f.e. their weird hobbies/quirks. all the “unimportened information” no one would ask to know about
and heres what made me give this book 5 stars:
- aro AND ace characters???? a-spec rep???? 99.9% queer!! (we love and see you, theo) im soo happy
- a FRIENDSHIP thats the main plot? cant remember the last time i read a book abt a non-romantic main plot, this made me soooo happy!
- it feels so relatable! thoughts, concerns, insecurities.
- the characters are soooo cute, i was literally squeeling at times, i feel a little silly
- the acc-idea is soooo good! especially since most a-spec ppl i know end up in a weird relationship-adviser position not knowing why anyone wants suggestions from THEM of all people. and honestly all the thoughts and explanations in the story are so on point. i was just happy reading about all of this
- this whole story is just a hppy vibe. idk how to explain it, its just wholesome
- the bracelet scene???? i was a sobbing mess!!
- and when they talked about how its hard when your identity is basically about NOT having/experiencing something? i felt soo seen! this is a convo ive had quite a couple of times!
- a friend of mine asked me once why most ppl were understanding when a person went through a breakup. like how theyre all “its okay to be really heartbroken, take your time. of course i wont judge if you dont leave ypur bed for three days! its gonna be okay. itll take time but it will be okay, dont worry!” but when being told that someone is going through a friend-breakup its more of a “dont be a baby about it, you’ll find another friens”. and honestly, it stuck with me. friendships or any type of love can be a reason for a heartbreak. it doesnt have to be romantical to hurt very bad. and i feel like the strength of platonic relationships was really well represented within this story, how important and valid they are.
- this feels closest to another aroace person reassuring me that im not alone in the way im feeling that ive had this far. it feels like the a-spec community is finally finding thir ways to one another and its making me so happy
- lastly—i just have to mention it—the acknowledgment was so cute. i feel like that was a very sincere note and i loved it!
so yeah, thats my review! definitely would recommend! i loved the book and i hope to see more work by Ann Zhao soon!