This book was alright. I liked the setting a lot and Bea is a very fun and lovable character. I think that, at the end of the day, this book just ended up not being my cup of tea as I'm not all that into superhero type stuff. But it was a fun enough read.

A bit bumpy, this one. Bea is my least favourite of the trio, and bloody Shasta finally gets her end (she’s never really engaged me, and the plots to foil her get needlessly complicated, which is acknowledged here) but I also think choosing to read this when I was feeling anxious and depressed was probably not the best choice…

I don’t want the Heroine Complex series to ever end, but if it has to end this book does it justice. Three interesting, complex Asian American women who are superheroes figuring out their places in the world and with each other. I would add two more words to this review, but that would be a spoiler.

3.25 stars

read on my blog

rep: bisexual biracial (Japanese, white) protagonist, Japanese-American love interest, sapphic biracial (Black, Japanese) side character, biracial (Japanese, white) side character, Chinese-American side character

**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

I’ve really enjoyed the Heroine Complex series over the past few years, and I’m a bit sad to let these characters go. However, we have to say goodbye eventually and it was nice to see where they all end up. Holiday Heroine was a decent finale that wrapped up Bea’s story nicely.

After moving to Hawai’i to gain her independence, Bea is thriving — or so she wants you to think. In truth, she’s lonely and homesick, especially with all the issues she’s been having with her long-distance boyfriend Sam. When the entire crew comes to visit, a beach trip goes awry after a giant monster attacks them. Then Bea suddenly finds herself transported to months in the future in San Francisco. She must uncover who’s behind the attack, as well as learning more about her new time-travelling power.

Although we’ve seen snippets of Bea in the last two books, it was interesting to return to her point-of-view and see how she’s actually very lonely. She’s also been stifling herself in the name of “maturing herself,” toning down her loud energy to conform more. Her bright personality still shines through though, and I was glad to see how she eventually realizes that she’s at her best when she’s herself.

I was glad to see more of Bea and Sam! Their romance was one of my favorite parts of her first book, and I enjoyed every scene they had together. Even though their relationship had some low points in this book, I liked that they got to relearn each other and why they love each other.

Honestly though, I was fairly bored while reading the majority of this book. I loved the first half of the series, but now that I’ve read all six (and the novella), I’ve come to the conclusion that the second half basically rehashed everything we saw in the first few books. They follow the same characters so of course they’d experience similar things, I know, but at some point the latter half of the series felt stagnant and repetitive.

I thought this book would be better since Bea’s was my favorite out of the original trilogy, but sadly I grew bored very quickly. So much of this book was literally just reminding you of events that happened in previous books. As much as I usually appreciate reminders of previous events, I didn’t need to basically read them and what the characters were feeling during them all over again.

This is partially due to my mood though so I don’t want to discourage others from reading this series. I still recommend it! I just think the first half of the series is a lot better, but if you’re in the market for Asian-American superheroes and a tightly knit found family, you may enjoy the Heroine Complex series.

original review:

...now that I've finished the second half of the series, I genuinely don't think the second trilogy was necessary at all. as much as I loved bea's book in the first half of the series, this one was just nothing new like I feel like the last three books just rehashed everything the main characters went through in the first three books

this is prob more a 3-star read but I feel like I'm just in a bad mood so bumping up to 3.25 for nostalgia purposes idk

Alright so I don't want to spoil the series so I'm just going to gush about the series in general.
I have said this a million times; this series is so underrated! I didn't find this series until the 3rd book came out but now I eagerly await the next book every year. I am constantly trying to get people to read this series.
I have always loved super hero stories but I get so tired of the same straight white men as heros so this series is such a breath of fresh air. Not only does this series follow women on color who kick ass. We also have a main character and several queer side characters.
This series is also so much fun! Yes each book deals with serious subjects as well but there is always so much fun as well. There is also some great fight scenes like any good hero series needs.
Seriously just do yourself a favor and read this series! You will not regret it! If you enjoy super heros or strong women or you just want an alternative to the same old Marvel or DC formula this is for you.

4 stars

This was a fitting end to the series. I didn't enjoy Bea earlier in the series, but I liked her more in this one. I will admit that this series has always joked around due to stereotypes and how some unknowingly act towards minorities in an eye rolling way. The last couple of books, however, it has come across more of an insult than the previous, "can you believe this guy" kind of way.

I've found it challenging to read Bea's point of view before, but this was exactly the book that Bea needed and that I needed for her. Her introspection and growth was wonderful to see, and it was so nicely done with her love of Christmas romcoms. Really enjoyable and exciting to read.

I had to stop myself from crying while reading because I was at work. I think this is my absolute favorite installment of the Heroine Complex series. While I love Evie and Aveda (Annie) I think Bea is my favorite of the trio. I've loved watching her grow into this amazing and badass superheroine who realized that she's not on the path to supervilliany and learned to love herself. I think the only character I may like more than Bea is Mrs. Fujikawa XD

I've really loved this series and I'm a little sad that this is the end, but the way Sarah Kuhn ended it was perfect.