After breaking up with her fiance and dropping out of her graduate program, Kathleen Cheng's life is on hold. Now, she's back in her childhood home in Oakland, helping prepare for her mother Marissa's wedding. But Marissa is different. She's sporty, happy, and transformed by love. As Kathleen grasps for direction, she contemplates intimacy and connection—can Kathleen reinvent her relationship with her mother?

HOLDING PATTERN is a captivating novel that examines the century-long topic of complex mother-daughter relationships, reminiscent of CHEMISTRY (Weike Wang), SEA CHANGE (Gina Chung), and A QUITTER'S PARADISE (Elysha Chang). I particularly enjoy the focus on Marissa, not just on her cultural difference or family drama but also on how her new-found relationship has transformed her into a different person.

Xie deftly crafts complex and multilayered characters in both Kathleen and Marissa, allowing readers an intimate glimpse into their conflicting perspectives, desires, and approaches to life. Without delving into spoilers, I also adore how HOLDING PATTERN juxtaposes Kathleen vs. Marissa's relationships with men; Xie's unique take on women's power towards men is another refreshing and intriguing take.

HOLDING PATTERN is a memorable novel that explores complex mother-daughter dynamics with quiet yet contemplative prose for those seeking a captivating literary experience!

Thank you to Riverhead Books for the gifted ARC