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literarymary95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
This was a really clean but fun adult romance novel that has a heavy Prince and the Pauper feel to it. Some of the story felt a bit predictable even with the twist at the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Dementia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
gkaltam's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
ensii's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
tatorsonline's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Overall: 2/5
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Characters: 3/5
Entertainment: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Storytelling: 2/5
---
Recommend: Maybe?
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The story started out strong with introducing the characters, the dynamics, and the plot. I also appreciated the serious tone of addressing the characters' experiences with harassment, identity, mental health, and racism. However, I felt exhausted with the amount of time spent on the main character's (Gracie's) back-and-forth motivations.
I found myself more interested in Fangli's storyline and her development over Gracie's. I greatly enjoyed the little plot twist toward the end, which helped soothe my continued exhaustion with Gracie's talk-and-run communication style.
Overall, there were some enjoyable moments throughout the story, but I largely felt underwhelmed.
---
Characters: 3/5
Entertainment: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Storytelling: 2/5
---
Recommend: Maybe?
------
The story started out strong with introducing the characters, the dynamics, and the plot. I also appreciated the serious tone of addressing the characters' experiences with harassment, identity, mental health, and racism. However, I felt exhausted with the amount of time spent on the main character's (Gracie's) back-and-forth motivations.
I found myself more interested in Fangli's storyline and her development over Gracie's. I greatly enjoyed the little plot twist toward the end, which helped soothe my continued exhaustion with Gracie's talk-and-run communication style.
Overall, there were some enjoyable moments throughout the story, but I largely felt underwhelmed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual harassment
shaunashares's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racism, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment
subzera's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was incredible!! I felt that there was a disconnect between Gracie and Sam throughout the book even tho I knew they were supposed to end up together. I was never sure if Sam liked Gracie because of the new experiences he got with her or if he liked her for who she was.
Absolutely zero spice. None. A little teaser at the end of a chapter, but nothing else. And I don’t care because this story was fantastic.
Lily Chu touched on many concepts that many families face that was refreshing. The guilt that comes from deciding to no longer live for and under a parents rule. I related to Sam on that. It’s a hard thing to let go of, especially if you haven’t gone no contact with them.
Fangli and Gracie are actually sisters!!! I feel so bad for their mom, that’s such a heavy secret to carry. I can’t imagine the grief she experienced.
I’m glad that Gracie and Sam talked at the end. Their feelings needed to be said out loud. It was very cute
Absolutely zero spice. None. A little teaser at the end of a chapter, but nothing else. And I don’t care because this story was fantastic.
Lily Chu touched on many concepts that many families face that was refreshing. The guilt that comes from deciding to no longer live for and under a parents rule. I related to Sam on that. It’s a hard thing to let go of, especially if you haven’t gone no contact with them.
I’m glad that Gracie and Sam talked at the end. Their feelings needed to be said out loud. It was very cute
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexism, and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage and Racism
buttongirl22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
This is a great romance story with real feeling characters, though maybe not the most realistic situations. It was a fun, quick read that I loved every minute of. Gracie is a relatable and love able character that I was rooting for. I will miss these characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment
geekmom's review against another edition
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
4.25
I enjoyed this as much as “The Comeback”. It was pure escapist fun - with another bonus hot Asian guy as the romantic interest! . I love the way Chu writes her female characters - they’re determined to be true to themselves and to do what’s right for them, rather than throwing everything away for a man. I also appreciate the themes of growing up and being Asian-Canadian (or in this case, biracial), the challenges and benefits of having a different cultural heritage than the mainstream or majority culture and navigating the very difficult path of losing a parent and caring for another parent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual harassment
tillyjournals's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Gracie's life is falling apart, she can't get her mum into the care home she needs, she's fired from her job, so when famous actress Wei Fangli, who she looks uncannily like, offers to pay Gracie to impersonate her, she decides she has no other choice but to say yes. Pretending to be Fangli, is more challenging than she expected and Sam, who is Fangli's best friend and constant presence, draws Gracie in. Can she manage to keep up the rouse without losing herself, or her heart?
This is really cute, I love Fangli and Sam's friendship and honestly wish I had a friend I could be around that much (darn bestie living too far away!). Sam is just a lovely human being and I love all of the acting references in this.
The lack of confidence Gracie has is heart breaking and I spent a lot of this book wanting to give her and Fangli a hug. The friendships in this shine through and there is quite a lot of depth to the story.
I did guess the 'twists' and what the 3rd act drama would be very early in the book, but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy the journey to get there. I wanted more from the epilogue though, it just felt like it ended very abruptly.
This is really cute, I love Fangli and Sam's friendship and honestly wish I had a friend I could be around that much (darn bestie living too far away!). Sam is just a lovely human being and I love all of the acting references in this.
The lack of confidence Gracie has is heart breaking and I spent a lot of this book wanting to give her and Fangli a hug. The friendships in this shine through and there is quite a lot of depth to the story.
I did guess the 'twists' and what the 3rd act drama would be very early in the book, but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy the journey to get there. I wanted more from the epilogue though, it just felt like it ended very abruptly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Abandonment