In summary: I was just really confused for almost 300 pages.

I was hoping to enjoy this book. I was assuming I would love it and it would be a five star read. However, that's not the case. The synopsis had some qualities I was looking forward to, but personally I don't think the plot had anything substantial to offer after reading. I do think it was well written, but I just think it missed the mark. The plot was written as to be very clever and witty, but ended up being tedious to read. 

Ava, as a character had almost no development and she seemed almost unrealistic as a character? Become an expat teaching English grammar in Hong Kong, make friends that have ambitious careers, but make no moves to improve your own career? Have a millennial existential crisis over power dynamics and sexual orientation? Sounds about right and realistic for our generation, but making that plot made it hard for the plot to develop. 

Edith and Julian served as vessels for some "awakenings" in Ava's life. Julian constantly told Ava she wasn't doing anything with her life and Edith was her awakening that she might like women which became an existential crisis. 

Am I now wary to read Normal People by Sally Rooney knowing this was fashioned after that? Yes.