Loveboat, Taipei (Loveboat, Taipei, #1)

by Abigail Hing Wen

“Our cousins have done this program,” Sophie whispers. “Best kept secret. Zero supervision.”

And just like that, Ever Wong’s summer takes an unexpected turn. Gone is Chien Tan, the strict educational program in Taiwan that Ever was expecting. In its place, she finds Loveboat: a summer-long free-for-all where hookups abound, adults turn a blind eye, snake-blood sake flows abundantly, and the nightlife runs nonstop.

But not every student is quite what they seem:

Ever is working toward becoming a doctor but nurses a secret passion for dance.

Rick Woo is the Yale-bound child prodigy bane of Ever’s existence whose perfection hides a secret.

Boy-crazy, fashion-obsessed Sophie Ha turns out to have more to her than meets the eye.

And under sexy Xavier Yeh’s shell is buried a shameful truth he’ll never admit.

When these students’ lives collide, it’s guaranteed to be a summer Ever will never forget.

• ISBN13: 9780062957276
• Publish Date: 7 January 2020
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Proceed With Caution:

This book contains discussion of depression and suicide, racism, abuse, and distribution of nude photos.

The Basics:

Loveboat, Taipei is the story of Ever's last summer before college. Her parents want her to attend Northwestern to study medicine, but she wants to go to Tisch and dance. But before that can even happen, she needs to survive eight weeks of Chinese school in Taiwan! Lucky for Ever, it's not the stuffy environment she's fearing. In fact, this is the most free Ever has ever felt, much to her parents' horror.

My Thoughts:

I loved Loveboat, Taipei! It was exactly what I was wanting to read and more! I adored Ever from the beginning. Her passion for dance is so clear, and her need for her parents' approval was also clear. I was mortified by the way her mother treated her when she found out she had been accepted in a dance school, but it also rang true with what we knew about Ever's parents and their plans for her. Of course, this all happens before they send her across the world to learn about her culture, which Ever takes as punishment. Until she actually arrives.

Loveboat, Taipei was so fun! The program Ever's parents have enrolled her in was nicknamed the Loveboat by students, because it's a great place to find a parent approved significant other! Ever has never been allowed to date, or really do anything, so she writes out a list of rules she's going to break! A few of which have to do with boys! Boy drama does take up a large part of the story, but that's not all there is. Plus it was good boy drama.

Yes, there is a love triangle. Well, it's actually a love rhombus, I suppose, since Ever's roommate Sophie is also involved at one point. The first person Ever meets upon landing is Rick aka Boy Wonder. She's heard about his accomplishments her entire life, so she hates him on sight. Or does she? Then there's super hot bad boy, Xavier, who Sophie has eyes on. This situation is such a huge mess and I was there for it! I don't want to give anything away, but dang. Drama. I also had no idea who would end up with who. It's close.

Loveboat, Taipei is ultimately about Ever finally standing up to her parents and going after what she wants in life. She learns so much about herself while in Taiwan. Instead of simply breaking her parents' rules just for the sake of breaking them, she discovers what she actually wants for herself. Does she have it all figured out? No, but she has a plan that she hopes her parents can accept, because she's doing it!

Loveboat, Taipei just made me really happy. It does have it's darker moments when it delves into mental health and abuse, but it handles these subjects delicately. There is a big epic cheesy moment at the end, but it totally worked!

[girlinthepages]

There are so many things I loved about Loveboat, Taipei. It was like a crazy summer camp book yet set in a breathtaking, international setting with a backdrop of constant, amazing cultural experiences. Yet at the same time, there are some elements that didn't always sit the best with me personally as a reader. I'm extremely glad I read it (it was a lot of fun!) and am looking forward to the sequel, but there were some elements I personally wish had been handled a bit differently.

Loveboat, Taipei follows Ever Wong, an American-Asian 18 year old girl living in Ohio who wants nothing more than to be a dancer but who is chafing against her parent's constant pressure to pursue medical school. When the pressure ends in an argument between her and her parents, they decide to send her to Taiwan for the summer to study Mandarin and gain a cultural education rather than spending a last summer at home with her friends and dance team. While seemingly a punishment, the program ends up being a wild summer of over-achieving, often wealthy teens who are there to blow off steam, hook up and find themselves without the overbearing expectations from their families.

I found the book to be an addicting and quick read, even though it was a bit long for a YA contemporary. I loved learning about all of the cool classes the program had to offer (Fan Dancing! Cooking! Chinese Medicine!) and reading about the sights the students visited, from the markets to the peaceful parks and gardens to the relaxing spas and saunas. Honestly, Ever's clubbing shenanigans were some of the things that least interested me because I was so interested in learning and absorbing as much culture as the story had to offer, but alas, Ever was there to blow off some much needed steam so while the story was very interesting, it eventually felt like I had boarded the Bad Decision Express right alongside Ever the conductor.

While Ever eventually grew from her experiences, it just felt like there were a lot of serious things that either happened to her or that she did, and the consequences never really felt like they caught up or applied to her (aside from the constant thread of being sent home from the program). While by the end of the novel Ever seems to have found the right balance of respecting her family and respecting herself, I think that what she went through during Loveboat was almost a little over sensationalized for the degree of fallout she incurred.

There was also a love triangle (that was pretty well done) but it ended rather predictably and I really wish it hadn't. (show spoiler)[I was also uncomfortable with the treatment of Rick's girlfriend/eventual ex, Jenna. While I do think there was empathy from Ever for her, I felt like there was a lot of emphasis placed on her struggles with mental illness and her codependency on Rick and he basically emotionally cheated on her with Ever and then broke up with her when he was halfway across the world which felt like a cruel thing to do. It's not an abrupt ending as she comes back into the picture and Rick does eventually find her to seek more help/resources, but it did feel like he was abandoning her a bit. Also, I feel like Ever should have chosen Xavier, I think she was eventually drawn to Rick because he was much more the epitome of what her parents always wanted her to be. Just my two cents, though!] (hide spoiler)

There were a lot of wonderful side characters in this story, from Sophie, Ever's fiesty and motivated roommate to the group of male classmates who spent their summer taking back stereotypical Asian tropes and stereotypes which was hilarious and also admirable and important. Ever's Loveboat peers truly did become a second family for her and it was special to see them all come together at the end of the story in a talent show that showcased all of their personalities and also how each had grown over the course of the summer.

Overall:Loveboat, Taipei was a fun and engaging read in an amazingly immersive setting (I think everyone will want to participate in their own Loveboat program after reading the book!) However, many serious topics felt glossed over and it was personally hard for me to read about some of Ever's poor decision making. Overall an entertaining novel with some great Asian-American representation but not my favorite story. I will however definitely be picking up the sequel!

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages

[layawaydragon]

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Welcome back ya'll! If this is any indication, 2020 is going to be an amazing year. Check out my 5 star review & favorite quotes for Loveboat, Taipei and enter to win a copy!

IMHO: Loveboat, Taipei

This book, peoples, this book. Loveboat, Taipei's got that magic something that just sucked me right in. There isn't a dull moment. Everyone's dynamic and interesting with their own issues in this academic bootcamp.

Honestly, I got to half-way through and it ramped up like most novels do for the climax. I was like, there's still so many page to go, what can possibly happen next??  SO MUCH GOOD STUFF IS WHAT.

And as one who doesn't like the yo-yo back & forth of some YA romances, trust me when I say this one is done so, so right. By all of them! The only thing I wish is for some queer inclusion in the future.

There is this one subplot with someone struggling with depression, anxiety and a toxic romance and I've been there before. I appreciate that it's not "wrapped up" and fixed by the end of the novel. Delving into that storyline honestly deserves its own novel. As it is, it's realistic, fair, and fitting.  And I couldn't ask for better.

That sums up how it handles all the issues brought up actually. Including, but not limited to: racism, ignorance, stereotypes, college admissions quotas, immigration, native peoples, tourism, teen rebellion, nude photos, and unpacking habits from a less than stellar childhood.

All while keeping up the action, tension, and rom com fun. Teens are talking about these things, this way, in daily life. I love this generation. More "grown ups" need to talk with them and read YA, IMHO.

They go clubbing, have a  weekend in a family mansion, a tour around the country at all these amazing places, classes, and a talent show. Talk about jammed packed. These overachievers do not rest! Ah, to be a youngin again, lol.

I love all these characters and def want more of this, so I'm FREAKING ECSTATIC Goodreads has it listed as 1 of a series. Will we get more of these peeps or the next year's group? I'm down either way, anyway I can get it. I can't wait to find out!



Perfect for fans of YA Contemporaries like P.S. To All The Boys I've Loved Before and American Panda.

Favorite Quotes:

Why give me honey when you knew my future was diabetic?

 

He's hidden it so carefully, and now he's showing it to me, the girl who shredded his painting into snowfall.

 

I took advantage of a crush and fanned it into a flame.

 

But these rules are made to be broken. Something happens to a kid when they see their parent treated like that. Something happens to the parent.

"It's a thousand little deaths," I say.

 

I want to see (show spoiler)[ no longer in control, but laid bare, drunk on pleasure. On me.] (hide spoiler)

 

The Gang of Five, taking back the effeminate Asian male stereotype on their own terms.

About the Author:

Giveaway for loveboat, taipei:

Prize: Win (1) of (2) copies of LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI by Abigail Hing Wen (US Only)

Stars: 1^st January 2020

Ends: 15^th January 2020

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loveboat, taipei Tour Schedule:

This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon

[Sam@WLABB]

Ever dreamed of becoming a dancer. Her parents dreamed of her becoming a doctor. The time to fulfill her familial obligations were drawing near, but Ever hoped to spend the final summer before college doing what she loved. However, her parents thought it was time for her to work on her Mandarin and immerse herself in her culture. She wanted to use this newfound freedom from her parents to break all the Wong rules, but along the way, she realized she really wanted to write her own.

I was so enthralled with this world Wen thrust me into. She took me from the well-controlled environment of Ohio, to this loosely supervised summer program in Taiwan. There, the students pushed the boundaries, while trying not to get caught. Ever pretty much allowed all the freedom to go to her head, and eventually, one of her bolder choices led to scandal.

I felt bad, when her girl-gone-wild antics caught up to her, but at least I can say, that Ever grew tremendously from the experience and from being in Taiwan. She began to embrace her culture, and even developed a fondness for it. She fell in love. She made connections with people, who were able to really relate to her complicated family life. She also learned to appreciate the sacrifices made and the struggles her parents endured, when they uprooted their lives and moved to America, and thus, she gained a new understanding of their demands on her.

I went to class, clubs, and exploring with Ever, and it was fantastic "seeing" Taiwan via the sights, sounds, and food described by Wen, but she also incorporated many issues faced by Asian Americans. Familial expectations definitely topped the list, but there was also discussions about stereotypes ("take back the tropes"), micro-agressions, and cultural norms, which clashed with the American norms. I know this sounds like a lot, but it came together quite organically, and many of the issues were approached honestly, but with a lot of humor. Therefore, a majority of the book leaned to the lighter side, while still making an impact on me.

I was a little conflicted with the romantic bits, because it turned into, like, a love quadrilateral. I probably would have been ok, had it gone either way, but then I would have missed out on all that drama. Let me tell you, this was high drama too, but I was happy with the way it all played out. Wen even gave me an epilogue (YES!), which tied up each character's ending, and let me know what was next for them. Those who know me, know this was crucial for me.

Ever set out to break all her family "rules", but ending up finding her own path, writing her own rules, and gaining some insight about her parents. Honest and heartfelt, Wen took me for an emotional ride, which was filled with fun, first love, and some bad decisions, but all helped bring Ever's future into better focus.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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