A review by thenovelmaura
Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto

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. 
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