Book: Loveboat, Taipei

Author: Abigail Hing Wen

Publisher: HarperTeen

Published: 7 January, 2020

Blurb

“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.

Review

The story is such it connects with you. Life with strict parents, rules to follow and expectations to meet. It hit home for me. Then when all of a sudden you taste freedom, you falter with decisions and land up making epic blunders. It felt so good to read about someone who made mistakes like I did when I left home for the first time, away from parent supervision.

It was funny, cute, and pleasing to read. Not only the central character but the supporting characters were great as well, some have amazing comic timing, some are kind and provide a support system to the central character.

I loved the setting of the story, the Loveboat, feels like some lavish spa retreat. I wish I could go there.

My Rating: 4/5 🌟

P.S. I had received a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. Thank you HarperTeen.