I would say overall very mediocre/generic. I liked the Bay Area setting and I liked the heroine for the most part, although it was frustrating that shI would say overall very mediocre/generic. I liked the Bay Area setting and I liked the heroine for the most part, although it was frustrating that she thought she needed to behave a certain way 1)appease a man and 2)appease a white man (1 and 2 are the same guy, the love interest). I liked her job subplot and her sister subplot thought it was a little weird that the book opens with the heroine meeting with the sister and then the sister disappears completely until the last 20% of the story. You also don't really get a sense of their parents or their social lives beyond Best Friend and Best Friend at Work.
And, ok, let's talk about the "hero". You know how Ken is Beach? In this book, Drew is Doctor. Also he's an asshole a lot of the time, especially in scenes where he's on his own thinking his own asshole thoughts. There's some degree of suggestion that we should have empathy for him because he's afraid of being rejected? And that's why he can't commit or be vulnerable with his feelings? mmmm, I don't think so. I mean, I don't love it either when we find out the "hero" has had some semi-traumatic past or bad parenting that has made him act controlling/dickish/inflexible/unable to commit or be vulnerable. But what was this guy's excuse? He was so unappealing. And while he is described as hot, it was impossible for me to picture what he looked like, other than a dickish generic bro-dude. ...more
A lovely friend-hang vibe and an exploration of what it means to belong. I also liked how languages were used and how the characters' sense of selves A lovely friend-hang vibe and an exploration of what it means to belong. I also liked how languages were used and how the characters' sense of selves were related to their confidence of using a non-native language, and the joy of finding yourself inhabiting one's new language...more
well I predicted everything that happened in the end, and other than the MC, the main characters didn't feel that fleshed out...and I don't think I knwell I predicted everything that happened in the end, and other than the MC, the main characters didn't feel that fleshed out...and I don't think I know why the Gambit is for teenagers? And not entirely sure how a bunch of teenagers got away navigating in exclusive adult spaces without any problems?
but yeah, it was entertaining. I might read the sequel. ...more
I'm not queer or from Wuhan but I related to this memoir very much. Loved the art and the energy of the drawing. I'm not queer or from Wuhan but I related to this memoir very much. Loved the art and the energy of the drawing. ...more
Minus points for more weird trad gender role stuff (mention of high school having "cross dress day" for spirit week which is "embarrassiLoved the plot
Minus points for more weird trad gender role stuff (mention of high school having "cross dress day" for spirit week which is "embarrassing for the boys")...more
Enjoying the intrigue of the storyline, but now that I noticed the weird 1950s vibe and sometimes lazy worldbuilding the sparkle is a little gone for Enjoying the intrigue of the storyline, but now that I noticed the weird 1950s vibe and sometimes lazy worldbuilding the sparkle is a little gone for me...more
A wholesome, sweet, nerdy contemporary YA romance that was cute - but it struggled to keep my attention and I think it will end up being quite forgettA wholesome, sweet, nerdy contemporary YA romance that was cute - but it struggled to keep my attention and I think it will end up being quite forgettable...more
I am loving this series. I know that the high school setting is meant to help readers connect to the characters, but wondering why high school on FutuI am loving this series. I know that the high school setting is meant to help readers connect to the characters, but wondering why high school on Future Earth feels like it has 1950s gender dynamics? Why is Amy's mom not also looking for a job? Why are girls worried about being thin and on a diet? Why are girls waiting to be asked to a dance by boys?
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