Dear Netflix, I am sincerely begging you to adapt this book into a movie because it is just pure goodness, and I loved listening to the audiobook. FilDear Netflix, I am sincerely begging you to adapt this book into a movie because it is just pure goodness, and I loved listening to the audiobook. Filled with adorable moments of romance and friendship, Happily Ever Afters had me squealing and swooning at every page.
If you’re a fan of loveable rom-coms like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, I Believe In A Thing Called Love, or any Disney Channel Original Movie, this is the perfect book for you. Through Tessa, we explore finding first love, reconciling between new and old friendships, and learning to find confidence in yourself.
Happily Ever Afters follows Tessa, a loveable heroine who spends her free time writing romance stories. After transferring to a prestigious arts academy, she finds imposter syndrome hitting her hard. How can she compete against the future Picassos, Vera Wangs, and Gordan Ramseys?
Words that used to flow out of Tessa like water run dry, and her writer’s block only intensifies as she listens to her classmates share their version of the next great American novel during class. In order to find inspiration for her writing, Tessa decides to make her own happily ever after by mimicking the cliches of every romance story.
Nico, the popular and gorgeous guy in her writing class, seems like the perfect target except…he already has a girlfriend. At the same time, Tessa finds herself growing closer to Sam, the boy next door who’s constantly offering Tessa sweets during their carpool rides to school.
There are moments where Tessa makes frustrating choices as a main character, but truthfully, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. If anything, I found the story even more realistic as it explores the insecurities and inner thoughts of a high school girl. Beyond the wonderful fluff and cuteness, Elise Bryant also thoughtfully examines Tessa’s relationship with her disabled older brother, Miles.
All in all, this book has definitely made my list of favorite YA contemporaries, and I cannot wait to see what Elise Bryant writes next. From the wonderful baked dessert descriptions to the fun setting of an arts academy, this would make a wonderful movie…someone please adapt this~!
Buckle up kiddos because this book was SO. MUCH. FUN.
From boarding school adventures to secret romances with celebrities, XOXO is a book that is pureBuckle up kiddos because this book was SO. MUCH. FUN.
From boarding school adventures to secret romances with celebrities, XOXO is a book that is pure trashy (yet heartwarming) goodness. If you need a pick-me-up, are a K-Pop fan, or simply looking to marathon a K-Drama but don’t have time, this is the book for you!
XOXO follows Jenny and Jaewoo who meet unexpectedly in Los Angeles at Jenny’s uncle noraebang, or karaoke bar. They have a magical night of dancing, singing, and exploring the city before Jaewoo suddenly leaves. Three months later, Jenny and her mother move to South Korea to care for her ailing grandmother, and while she’s there, she’s enrolled in Seoul’s most prestigious arts academy.
When she arrives at the school, she unexpectedly runs into Jaewoo who turns out to be the most popular idol in Korea’s most popular boy band, XOXO. You can think of the plotline as True Beauty meets Dream High plus any cheesy and fun pop-star Wattpad story.
All the side characters in this book were also a joy to meet. We have Sori, Jenny’s roommate who’s cold at first but slowly opens up throughout the book. There’s Nathaniel, Jaewoo’s Korean American bandmate and Angela and Gi Taek, Jenny’s first friends at Seoul Arts Academy (Angela’s also Taiwanese American...my heart!!). Angela and Gi Taek honestly remind me of Soo Ah and Tae Hoon from True Beauty.
The reason why I have to dock a star is because the pacing is SOOO rushed to the point where it hinders the reading experience. The book essentially tries to cram an entire season of a K-Drama into a mere 300 pages, but while a Korean drama would have the flexibility and at least 16 episodes to give the viewer time to breathe and absorb what's going on, that's not the case here.
Since there’s so much content and ~iconic scenes~ for the plot to cover, a lot of the writing feels more “tell” than “show.” We gloss over important events, and scenes begin to blend together. Truthfully, it was often an information overload because one important event would happen right after another without any time for rest.
However, XOXO was still an incredibly fun read with wonderful girl power friendships and heartwarming family moments between daughter, mother, and grandmother. We also have an honest discussion of mental health and idol life in the Korean entertainment industry as well as carving out one’s identity in the country your family is from.
All in all, XOXO was the book I needed to get me out of a reading slump. A lot of the events aren’t realistic, but sometimes, you just want a story that will make you smile. This book is perfect for any K-Pop/K-Drama fan or if you just need something to brighten your day. Now...how do I contact the author to write a second book to wrap up the storylines of the side characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
How do I even begin to describe Chloe Gong and her masterpiece that is These Violent Delights?
Chloe’s debut novel was one that I’ve been highly anticiHow do I even begin to describe Chloe Gong and her masterpiece that is These Violent Delights?
Chloe’s debut novel was one that I’ve been highly anticipating since its initial announcement in early 2019. The story’s beautiful prose, atmospheric setting, and heartbreaking romance make it an absolute must-read, and I cannot wait for November 2021 to have my heart broken again by its sequel.
These Violent Delights is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai. On one side, we have Juliette Cai, the heir to the Scarlet Gang who has recently returned to Shanghai from America. On the other, we meet Roma Montagov, heir to the White Flowers.
When an unexpected monster begins to ravage the city, spurring a terrifying madness, Juliette and Roma must put aside their differences to team up and save their people. As they begin to work closer together, secrets from their past begin to unfold, and they find themselves torn between expectations from their families and love.
At the forefront, we explore the rivalry between the two gangs and how it tears apart our two protagonists, but what I love most about Chloe’s writing is how it thoughtfully explores themes of colonialism and identity. Shanghai, at the time, had been occupied by the French, British, and other foreign powers as a result of the Opium Wars.
The Scarlet Gang and White Flowers are faced in a power struggle not only with each other but foreign governments that wish to colonize their land. Juliette also represents an interesting perspective throughout the exchange as someone with a diaspora background, having been raised in both the East and West.
Now, let’s take a second to *appreciate* the romance because it is pure childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers goodness. I am here for the yearning, and my heart is about to combust. I’ll just say that you’ll love every second of it, and the side characters in this book make it all the more entertaining.
I’ve read this book twice: the first time as an ARC and the second via audiobook, and both times, I have been colored impressed and blown away. The audiobook, in particular, was easy to follow and become immersed in. Cindy Kay’s narration was reminiscent of Emily Woo Zeller’s, the mastermind and voice behind The Poppy War and Loveboat, Taipei audiobooks.
You might think I’m a bit biased because I’m friends with Chloe, but in all honesty, her writing speaks for itself. These Violent Delightswill no doubt be a transformative and defining piece of literature in Young Adult fantasy, and I could not be more excited for the release of Our Violent Ends and to see more of Chloe’s writing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When I first heard the plot and storyline for Loveboat, Taipei, my heart immediately grew 10x as this was the representation I had always been dreaming of my entire life. ...more
tiffany (readbytiffany)
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