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zias's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book was everything I could want in a book. It was funny without trying too hard, the romance was so sweet, and it had lots of touching moments with family and friends. I loved each and every character and the journey Chloe took me on in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Body shaming
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Although I read this book before it truly felt like summer here in SoCal, I wholeheartedly recommend it as your next beach/hammock/staying inside near the A/C read! I can't talk about why I loved the romance here without revealing some spoilers; all I can say is that it leaned into one of my favorite tropes and there were no love squares in sight (despite the cover art). Strong platonic and familial relationships added additional layers and kept the story from being solely focused on the romance. Chloe's friend Cia dealt with real issues around racial discrimination in their community, causing Chloe to step up and support her friend when it mattered the most.
This is also one of only a handful of books I've read that was set in the Philippines, and I really liked how Chloe was shown as wanting to move to the U.S. for a specific opportunity while still loving her hometown. I'm sure her passion for animation will resonate with other young readers who have similar aspirations. If you like cute dates, banter, Chinese-Filipino culture, or family drama, you'll find something to appreciate in Coyiuto's debut.
This is also one of only a handful of books I've read that was set in the Philippines, and I really liked how Chloe was shown as wanting to move to the U.S. for a specific opportunity while still loving her hometown. I'm sure her passion for animation will resonate with other young readers who have similar aspirations. If you like cute dates, banter, Chinese-Filipino culture, or family drama, you'll find something to appreciate in Coyiuto's debut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
ellaticonstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Toxic relationship
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
We follow Chloe, a Chinese Filipina teenager living in Manila as she navigates that awkward time between graduating high school and going to college, with the added pressure of moving countries to follow her dream to do animation. Throughout the book, Chloe struggles with the push and pull of conflicting values and desires, imposter syndrome, and finding the strength to take risks. The infusion of Chinese Filipino culture and language is the foundation of this book, which is beautifully weaved and made for a special read.
Overall, I have to say this book is HILARIOUS! I actually laughed out loud regularly throughout this book and it gave me so much joy. I loved how the family dynamics contrasted with Chloe’s inner monologue. And the cast of characters! Everyone was totally zany, with a hashtag obsessed dad, an acapella bombastic best friend, an over-the-top, overbearing aunt, and a perfect scholarly cousin, Chloe is a bit of a misfit and extremely likable.
I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of:
- Jenny Han and Emma Lord
- Slice of life YA
- Short chapters
- Lighthearted reads that still deal with difficult topics
Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for this gifted copy
Overall, I have to say this book is HILARIOUS! I actually laughed out loud regularly throughout this book and it gave me so much joy. I loved how the family dynamics contrasted with Chloe’s inner monologue. And the cast of characters! Everyone was totally zany, with a hashtag obsessed dad, an acapella bombastic best friend, an over-the-top, overbearing aunt, and a perfect scholarly cousin, Chloe is a bit of a misfit and extremely likable.
I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of:
- Jenny Han and Emma Lord
- Slice of life YA
- Short chapters
- Lighthearted reads that still deal with difficult topics
Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for this gifted copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
mezzythedragon's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
The best YA rom-com I’ve read thus far this year. Hilarious, corny, and sweet. I especially like the dad joke: “What’s beside the USA? USB!” 😂🤦🏻♀️
Also, I like how Coyiuto talks about the prejudice Chinese-Filipinos have against native Filipinos. Weird that they’re the ones with that kind of attitude, though though on the other hand, the Chinese in the Philippines had a hard time naturalizing and getting certain jobs once upon a time. Of course, I’m not sure if that rule came from Filipinos themselves or their colonizers.
Another thing, I like Jappy’s (this name though 👀) comment about the Philippines sleeping on their own artists, who are just as talented as any other musician. Should check out Ben&Ben now.
Also, I like how Chloe points out that just because she wanted to go to school in the US, doesn’t mean she hated the Philippines, with regards to the microaggressive college app question she received. All too often, I get the “US good, origin country bad” narrative, which is so reductive. Glad for once, a book had some nuance.
Little nitpicks: could have done without the friendzoning comment. I know it was a joke, but I never liked that whole toxic concept. Also, Auntie Queenie’s fatshaming. 😒 I know, it was her way of saying “I’ll miss you,” but Filipinos really need to get over their bodyshaming.
And sadly, the audiobook narrator didn’t pronounce the Tagalog phrases properly. The Liangs are Chinese-Filipinos, but if they live in the Philippines, and Chloe thinks herself more Filipino than Chinese, shouldn’t they be able to speak Tagalog fluently?
Also, I like how Coyiuto talks about the prejudice Chinese-Filipinos have against native Filipinos. Weird that they’re the ones with that kind of attitude, though though on the other hand, the Chinese in the Philippines had a hard time naturalizing and getting certain jobs once upon a time. Of course, I’m not sure if that rule came from Filipinos themselves or their colonizers.
Another thing, I like Jappy’s (this name though 👀) comment about the Philippines sleeping on their own artists, who are just as talented as any other musician. Should check out Ben&Ben now.
Also, I like how Chloe points out that just because she wanted to go to school in the US, doesn’t mean she hated the Philippines, with regards to the microaggressive college app question she received. All too often, I get the “US good, origin country bad” narrative, which is so reductive. Glad for once, a book had some nuance.
Little nitpicks: could have done without the friendzoning comment. I know it was a joke, but I never liked that whole toxic concept. Also, Auntie Queenie’s fatshaming. 😒 I know, it was her way of saying “I’ll miss you,” but Filipinos really need to get over their bodyshaming.
And sadly, the audiobook narrator didn’t pronounce the Tagalog phrases properly. The Liangs are Chinese-Filipinos, but if they live in the Philippines, and Chloe thinks herself more Filipino than Chinese, shouldn’t they be able to speak Tagalog fluently?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Ableism and Body shaming
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