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tatorsonline's review against another edition
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
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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.
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Characters: 3/5
Entertainment: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Storytelling: 2/5
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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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual harassment
shaunashares's review
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
yipt's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage and Pandemic/Epidemic
shannonharper_x's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Abandonment
buttongirl22's review
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
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
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
estherbeulah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Sexual harassment