A review by bbivnca
Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach

funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

it was okay, i enjoyed it. the book started out very strong and i was immediately gripped. half of the book was the events building up to the walkout, and the romance felt so rushed. it did not even feel like “academic rivals to lovers” because the love interest wasn’t competing against the mc at all. it definitely felt like an instalove (HATE this trope) because of the characters’ lack of interaction, and i was promised a slow burn. i really liked the mc because of her feminist beliefs and how determined she was to succeed, but i feel like she completely lost those qualities as soon as she developed feelings for her “rival.” this is just my personal preference, but i did not like how the love interest was a jock. it turned me off a bit. the east/southeast asian representation was well done though, and i really liked the use of vietnamese and cantonese phrases!
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