mikarala's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Kind of surprising myself here to rate this so favourably, because this is a book I downloaded on Kindle mostly on a whim and because I'm going through a Gilded Age phase, but I really enjoyed this. While all of the "plot twists", so to speak, are ridiculously predictable and quite typical of YA-lit in general, I at least think they were generally well-executed and fit in thematically. I also think this book fell into the YA trope of having everything work out a little too well in the end, basically glossing over some harsh historical realities, but hey, that same reason will be a reason some people find this inspiring. While I wouldn't go that far, I will say I think this was an enjoyable and quite well-written little novel. Jo grew on me a lot as a MC; at first I was worried she would fit into that kind of snobbily superior attitude so many female YA MC's seem to have, but her moments of self-doubt, empathy, and stubbornness won me over. I also liked that some of her more "feminine" interests were shown to have as much value as things like her horseback riding or writing, which I think tend to be typically "pick me" traits you'll see in a lot of female MC's.
Just a light and enjoyable read that tries to challenge our understanding of the past.
Just a light and enjoyable read that tries to challenge our understanding of the past.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
lilliangretsinger's review against another edition
4.0
Not where I thought it was going but very interesting and entertaining
read_by_jackie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
What a wonderful book with a wonderful ending! I didn’t think I would enjoy this book, as it is historical fiction, but BOY WAS I WRONG. It was more like fiction with a little history. Jo was a strong woman in the beginning, but by the end of the book, she became stronger and braver! I really enjoyed this book, thank you Stacey Lee!
dmwhipp's review against another edition
3.0
When 17 YO Jo Kuan – an Asian living in Atlanta during the Gilded Age– loses her position as milliner’s assistant, she has few options and accepts the job of lady’s maid for spoiled and bad-tempered Caroline Payne. By night Jo lives with Old Gin, who has raised her since infancy, in an abandoned slave hideout beneath a newspaper print shop. When Jo overhears that the newspaper is in danger of closing, threatening her and Old Gin’s secret home, she anonymously offers to write an advice column at no charge to help gain new subscribers and save the paper. Soon, she is moonlighting as the popular and controversial Miss Sweetie, also allowing her to voice her opinions on the social inequity prevalent at the time.
The plot was often predictable and there were a few issues that made little sense, such as merchant’s daughter Lizzie Crump working as a lowly shop assistant in a hat store. The mean girl elements, coincidences in family relationships, and happy solutions to complex problems did make this feel very much YA, which it is. While I enjoyed some of the characters, I felt the writing was often bogged down with platitudes and similes. I did enjoy learning about a segment of society I’d never given much thought to: Asian Americans in the South following the Reconstruction Era. A fairly quick and somewhat interesting read.
The plot was often predictable and there were a few issues that made little sense, such as merchant’s daughter Lizzie Crump working as a lowly shop assistant in a hat store. The mean girl elements, coincidences in family relationships, and happy solutions to complex problems did make this feel very much YA, which it is. While I enjoyed some of the characters, I felt the writing was often bogged down with platitudes and similes. I did enjoy learning about a segment of society I’d never given much thought to: Asian Americans in the South following the Reconstruction Era. A fairly quick and somewhat interesting read.
zoepagereader's review
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? Yes
4.0
It took a while for me to get into this book. I don’t know if it was the short time spans I had to read it in or the book itself. Once I got into it though, I stayed in until the wack familial twists. I can deal with one, sure, when it’s been focused on for a while in the book, but two is too much for me. Beyond that however, I enjoyed the read.
elsiebrady's review against another edition
4.0
The sprinkling of metaphors added to the charm of this book. Actually frustrating that we are currently dealing with so many of the racial issues of pre-civil war Georgia.
waiya's review against another edition
3.0
The themes in this book were very interesting. Some things kept me from giving 4 stars (mostly the romance which I found too obvious and expected and some nitpicking), but all in all it was a really nice and enjoyable book.
ashleejuanita's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Quirky, lighthearted narration. Interesting way to learn about immigrants lives at the turn of the century
iselenamethod22's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing book. AAMAZING uhmazing.
Will come back with notes (possibly)
Will come back with notes (possibly)
lyla_b's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5