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ruckystarnes's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
jenareynolds's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage
thebakersbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-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
4.5
4.5/5 stars — alternately tense, funny, and poignant
This might be a good book for the older crowd that reads young adult anyway—this has the tone and some shared tropes with YA contemporary romances, but deals with the more adult issues of career/finances and aging parents. I really liked how the story took its time following the threads of all three major characters and their family dynamics.
other high points of the book for me:
- discussions about differing treatment/acceptance of visible mental illness between cultures (the main character and one major supporting character have depression and experience panic attacks)
- this conversation about the double standard of expecting non-politicians from certain foreign countries especially to publicly address political issues: "Do Canadian actors speak out against your own country's abuses?" "Not often." "Do you ever think about why we're responsible for answering for our government when they're not responsible for yours?"
Finally, on a personal note, I have beef with this author because the planner/organization app called Eppy that the MC develops in-book looks and sounds incredible but it (of course) is a work of fiction and I can't actually use it! (This is a joke. But I do want that app.)
a very incomplete list of content notes: anti-Chinese racism by unsympathetic characterss, racist bias (alternately toward or against, depending on the source) regarding mixed-race people; described unwanted sexual advances and past sexual assault
This might be a good book for the older crowd that reads young adult anyway—this has the tone and some shared tropes with YA contemporary romances, but deals with the more adult issues of career/finances and aging parents. I really liked how the story took its time following the threads of all three major characters and their family dynamics.
other high points of the book for me:
- discussions about differing treatment/acceptance of visible mental illness between cultures (the main character and one major supporting character have depression and experience panic attacks)
- this conversation about the double standard of expecting non-politicians from certain foreign countries especially to publicly address political issues: "Do Canadian actors speak out against your own country's abuses?" "Not often." "Do you ever think about why we're responsible for answering for our government when they're not responsible for yours?"
Finally, on a personal note, I have beef with this author because the planner/organization app called Eppy that the MC develops in-book looks and sounds incredible but it (of course) is a work of fiction and I can't actually use it! (This is a joke. But I do want that app.)
a very incomplete list of content notes: anti-Chinese racism by unsympathetic characterss, racist bias (alternately toward or against, depending on the source) regarding mixed-race people; described unwanted sexual advances and past sexual assault
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
hmwoodward's review
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
This is a sweet (closed door) romcom with a storyline that I definitely enjoyed reading, even if the overall story and the twist was unbelievable. However, I liked the main character and found her to be relatable and realistic. Her constant attempts to organize her life and do dreadful tasks sound too familiar! It was fun to see all the different productivity tools she tried and how she struggled with each as it is not one size fits all. She struggles a lot with self doubt and trusting people in her life - always trying to just do things herself instead. She's just a normal person who steps into a life of luxury for a short time, coming out the other side with a new perspective on the rich and famous. You really feel for her struggles with her mom and her former boss, as those are also unfortunately realistic.
Overall, this is a great pick if you're looking for a lighthearted and fun read.
Overall, this is a great pick if you're looking for a lighthearted and fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
brittanylee0302's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
When I picked up this book I was looking for a cute rom com palate cleanser & this was not it. Despite that, it was still very good! There are a lot of heavy topics in this book & it has a very sorrowful background story to it. I found this book to be incredibly predictable the whole way through but I still found it very enjoyable! I also listened to the audio & loved the narrator Phillipa Soo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Abandonment
sammerp219's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexual harassment
apoppyinthewind's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this one, it was exactly what I needed after my last read: A lighter yet heartfelt story with loveable characters. The plot of a random woman being asked to be a stand-in for a famous actress is far-fetched and I initially expected this book to be over the top but it was surprisingly grounded which was wonderful to read. Yes, there are decadent fashions and name-dropping of high-end designers but the majority of the story focuses on the relationships between characters Sam, Gracie, and Fangli. Also, much of the story focuses on the main character Gracie learning how to let people in and stand up for herself at the same time.
This book deals with sexual harassment, Alzheimer's, parental loss, and caring for an elderly parent alongside the rom-com plot. I think the writer handles these subjects well and has a good balance between the serious aspects and lighthearted aspects of the story. Overall, I would recommend checking this book if you're looking for a fun read and I will be checking out more by this author.
This book deals with sexual harassment, Alzheimer's, parental loss, and caring for an elderly parent alongside the rom-com plot. I think the writer handles these subjects well and has a good balance between the serious aspects and lighthearted aspects of the story. Overall, I would recommend checking this book if you're looking for a fun read and I will be checking out more by this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
tardislibrary's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Brilliant. Great story, fantastic narrator, kept my interest the entire time. And some BANTER Yasssss
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Sexual harassment
finnickdeservedbetter's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
For readers who like:
• celebrity romance
• fake identity
• dislike to lovers
• biracial (asian/white) MC
• first gen Canadian MC
The book was like a breathe of fresh air. I was kinda putting it off in favour of other books but I wish I hadn't. The characters are ao well-rounded and dimensional. They had flaws of course but I could relate to each one and honestly, see myself being friends with any of them.
This touched on a few big topics (like identity- being biracial and the child of an immigrant, mental health, and sexual harrassment to name a few) but all in a very accessible and approachable way.
The only reason I didn't give it 5☆ is the unnecessary (isn't it always?)
Other than that tho, I really enjoyed this book and got through it all in one sitting. This is my first book by Lily Chu but it definitely won't be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fatphobia and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent