e-Audio, 08:39:27
Narrated by: Becca Q. Co
Release Date: March 7, 2023
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: March 3-6, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: PRH App (I received a copy of this audiobook from the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW:
For Readers Interested In: YA, Arranged Dates, Nosey Family Members, Contemporary Romance, Diverse Romance, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Realistic FictionWhen Dimple Met Rishi meets Loveboat, Taipei in this hilarious YA rom-com about a Chinese-Filipina girl in Manila whose father sets her up on a marathon of arranged dates in hopes of convincing her to stay close to home for college.
Chloe is officially off the waitlist at USC, and thus one step closer to realizing her dream of becoming an animator in the United States. But before she leaves home, her auntie insists on planning a traditional debut for Chloe’s eighteenth birthday (think sweet sixteen meets debutante ball). To make matters worse, her father, intent on finding Chloe the perfect escort for the party, keeps setting her up on one awkward kaishao—or arranged date—after another. But . . . why does her dad suddenly care so much about her love life? And what happens when she actually starts to fall for one of the guys, only to have to leave at the end of the summer?
*MY THOUGHTS*
I remember as soon as I finished this my first thought was “THIS WAS SO CUTE!” I laughed out loud, I was getting mad at her for not seeing what was in front of her, etc. This book came at just the right time for me…. It was definitely there when I needed it.
I was a little worried about this one because of the freaking arranged dates. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles anymore. But because this was more like a love rectangle, I said ok and still gave it a shot. And then after “meeting” all of them via words, I was surprised to know that I actually liked them all. They all had their own “thing” and they were all different. I was actually really impressed by the fact that they were all different. And I was impressed that I liked all of them too.
The writing style of Coyiuto was also good. I lost count of how many times I was laughing out loud. I do know that every time her Aunty was there. She was hilarious. And the way she didn’t even know she was being hilarious made it even better. And tho her dad was stubborn, he was still there and still supportive of her. And I loved that she was able to show this. And I was so invested in this book that I remember talking to her and telling her what was staring her in the face the whole time.
It’s always weird trying to review romances. I just want to talk about the romance and who it’s with and that kind of thing. But I know that would count as a spoiler. But I will say that the actual romance was really cute. And I think it was even cuter because she didn’t want it to be that way. So it was like your basic enemies to lovers. And the way they were both so scared to say they liked each other. I don’t know why I thought it was so cute.
I also liked the message in this one. She had to come to terms with not feeling Chinese enough but also not feeling Filipina enough, while simultaneously trying to make herself feel more American since that’s where she’s on her way to. I’m Black and still understood a good bit of that from when I was a teen. I also like the way she had to come to terms with things like her family, including the way they treated her mom because she left to America. I didn’t relate to that as much, but I think it was interesting to know what other people thought of us.
This book brought up a lot of thoughts for me. From the way I was invested into the love story and the the funny that her family provided. But that’s also the reason I enjoyed it so much. Any book that can cause this kind of reaction from me deserves from me is definitely one I deserved. I really hope there’s more where this came from.
Overall, I give this
