4.5/5

First of all...WHAT?! THERE'S GONNA BE A SEQUEL?!

I really really liked this book. It was one of my most anticipated and didn't disappoint. I can definitely see why it was compared to To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Crazy Rich Asians. It definitely evokes a lot of those vibes.

I liked the conflict, the different rep, the discussions about class, wealth, racism and immigration. It doesn't deep dive into the topics but it's brought up in conversations between characters as they bond. I enjoyed the discussion of parents seeing education as a way to step up in class. I never had that experience myself but I had SO many friends in high school and university who were immigrants themselves or first generation and they HAD to go post secondary for a high income career. No other options.

I can't give this the full 5 stars though for one reason. The attempted redemption of a character who takes and dispurses someone elses nude photos. I just cannot get behind that character being given a sort of out. It's not ever a reasonable response to any situation.

Rep: a variety of Asian representation including Chinese American first generation own voice