This book book stays true to its description, which I have to give it credit for, but I was really hoping for more. I was interested in reading June’s story because I’m usually really pulled into stories of immigrant children and understanding that family’s dynamic, and while we do get that, it felt flat and predictable. The mother felt like a caricature and it kind of bothered me that she would say a Taiwanese proverb and then translate it right after. I know this was more for English speaking readers, but it took me out of the reading experience. I also wished that we heard more from the dad. I assumed (which I will own could be on me) that part of June struggling with her identity in an incredibly white space was because she was biracial but it turns out her dad was also Taiwanese, just incredibly absent from the entire story and void of personality.

I do recognize the main point of the story is June navigating her romantic and sexual relationships, but as I read, I could not understand why she was into any of the guys she was into. Rhys lacked personality, the second (I can’t even remember his name he was so vanilla) came onto you with micro aggressive compliments, and the third was a literal adult??? Like you were in high school and he was a grad student??? And you pursued this while also knowingly shit talked your best friend for also dating a man that was way too old for her so you know it’s wrong, gross, and manipulative? Like I understand that when you’re in high school, it’s easy to feel important when an older person is interested in you but June has made comments that it’s weird so it felt inconsistent in her character. Overall, June didn’t really feel like a fleshed out character which made it difficult to want more for her. I’d be interested in reading more from this author, but this wasn’t it.