Promising but underdeveloped.
A teen artist navigates changes in her family and her romantic life.
When Lynda Fan’s widowed dad marries Amy, Lynda doesn’t have many feelings about the whole thing. Next year, she hopes to be at the Rhode Island School of Design; she’s sure she has the artistic skills to get in, though covering tuition might be a problem. So Lynda is less than thrilled to learn that her dad and Amy are spending a fortune on private violin lessons for her new stepsister. Lynda knows it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She just doesn’t expect salvation to come in the form of Angela Wu, a former it girl who’s now a standoffish brainiac. Angela, it turns out, is a secret fan of otome games—story-based video games with romance plotlines. She’s creating her own ancient China–inspired game, and she wants Lynda to develop the concept art and character design. And she can afford to pay well. As Lynda slowly gets to know Angela better, she’s surprised by what she finds. Lynda, who’s asexual, doesn’t always pick up on romance cues, but she’s pretty sure there’s something growing between her and Angela. Limited characterization and an abrupt ending keep this novel from reaching its potential either as a romance or as a coming-of-age story. Through her primarily Taiwanese American cast, Lin thoughtfully unpacks stereotypes around Asian parenting. Lynda’s changing family dynamics and her awareness of the role she plays are also highlights.
Promising but underdeveloped. (Romance. 12-17)Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780593814826
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Delacorte Romance
Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice.
A fall romance with a New England backdrop.
Autumn leaves aren’t the only stunning thing to hit the town of Briar Glen—so has good-looking new boy Jack Harper, and Lucy Kane is enamored with both. Her new crush is the perfect thing to take her mind off the fact that Java Junction, part of a global chain, is opening across the street from Cup o’ Jo, Lucy’s mother’s coffee shop, where they take pride in baking everything from scratch and avoiding artificial ingredients. But there’s more than coincidence in the timing of the arrivals of both Jack and Java Junction: The Harper family moved to Briar Glen specifically to open this franchise location, which will bring competition that threatens Cup o’ Jo. This scenario has the makings of a perfect autumnal adversaries-to-lovers romance, but the writing lacks charm and chemistry. Jack seems to be completely enamored with Lucy, but her character isn’t sufficiently developed to warrant his attention. Lucy’s friends are continually supportive of her but have few distinguishing characteristics, and the story is weakened by confusing timelines and repetitive elements. The resolution relies upon successes that come too easily and do not feel earned. Major characters are cued white.
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice. (Romance. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781339030753
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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