As a second-born Asian American teenager, June Chu is the “just good enough girl”. And, to be honest, she also doesn’t see the point in trying too hard if she’s destined to fall short, anyway. Unfortunately, her older sister, Wendy, set the bar too high for June, so their parents’ expectations are, to be frank, excessive – plus, her mom is constantly throwing her riddled Chinese proverbs and passive-aggressive remarks for “her own good”. With a low sense of self-worth and easily intoxicated with love, June ends up seeking validation from boys who end up being jerks.
This book is set in that awkward time between not being an adult just yet but having to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life, and that’s something everyone who has already experienced the teen angst years can relate to. It’s uncertain and sometimes painful, but it’s just what it is, and I liked how the author laid it out on us. So, despite coming from a different background than June, her story deeply resonated with me.
Obviously, I know nothing about how Asian parents are, but it hurt a little to see how June felt every time her mom reminded her she has little to no hope or clarity about her future. I also know nothing about trying to figure out who you are while feeling trapped between two totally opposite cultures, Eastern and Western, but I remember how it was when I was June's age and felt the weight of other people's expectations and ended up being frustrated because we can’t (and shouldn’t even try to) please everyone. And, fun fact, even though I barely remember it by now or at least I try not to, I actually played the violin when I was younger, but I just have the worst ear in the world, so in 3 years I never got past “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
Regarding the romantic part of this book, there are three love interests in the story and a few more boys and, sadly, every and each one was a disappointment. I get most of them though, but I just needed a little sunshine (I kept wishing for one, in particular, to do better). Despite that, I liked how the book explores sex realistically: it’s not always the mind-blowing experience it’s made out to be, and I love how June comes to challenge some internalised misogyny surrounding it (even though her first time broke my heart, since the surroundings to the whole dubious consent issue). It’s also worth mentioning the story addresses other important topics, like growing up Taiwanese-American in a predominantly white Midwestern town, not feeling “Asian enough”, racism and microaggressions and cultural appropriation.
It takes time to get there, but this novel is definitely not about the boys June knows. It’s very much about her discovering her identity and sexuality and, ultimately, the love and validation she wants in no one else but herself. I really think she’s well fleshed out, and I love her and her story for it, but it would be even better if there was more character development regarding June’s friendships and relationships. There are also some loose threads I wished were resolved, but I liked the overall message so much that I conceded the 4-stars and will probably re-read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree for providing me with an eARC. I’m leaving this 100% honest review voluntarily.