One day, I saw this gorgeous cover on Goodreads. Not only was I captivated by it, but this type of story offered me a chance to get out of my comfort zone.

First, the writing was so simple. I do not mean this negatively. The simple and easy to understand words were woven together so beautifully, it made reading easier for my tired mind while also allowing me to witness beauty in the form of words. The descriptions and the overall ambience that the author would build throughout the book gave way to calming and pleasurable sceneries that further put my mind at peace. Truly one of the best books to read to unwind in stressful times. 

Following Lady Tan’s journey to becoming a well respected doctor was an incredible adventure, with no dull moments, and that despite the story not being heavy on action. Usually, this kind of story bores me to death, but somehow, Tan’s growth, the insight into her mind, the hardships and joy she went through alongside Meiling, were so incredibly compelling that I would often end up reading it for hours without realizing it. 

All characters, ranging from the main cast to the extra, were well-developed and felt complex and human. This especially is the reason why I’m rating this book so highly, as well written characters are often so hard to come by, especially in newly released books. A special thanks to Lisa See for achieving this. 

I’ve only rated this book 4 stars, instead of five. That is because there’s something I’ve disliked about how the friendship between Tan and Meiling went. It was beautiful, no doubt. It was probably the most well written friendship between women I’ve read in books, or seen in movies for that matter. A friendship that was so heartwarming and intimate that it made even romance pale in comparison. 

My only issue is that they got close too fast. Not in the story, they met as kids and have been friends since then, but for the reader. Their bond is a focal point of the story, yet we don't get to witness how they got close and what exactly made them get along so well with each other aside from being tutored by Tan’s grandmother and aside from the fact that they were the only two kids of that age. I mean, these are good enough reasons for why their friendship would develop, but I wished to see the usual ups and downs that comes with befriending someone, especially those that result in best friends. But instead, there was a time skip, and we learned that they were very close friends. 

Overall, this was a book I enjoyed very much. One I’d certainly recommend to friends. I’m also excited to check out more books from this author, thanks to her beautiful writing.