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A review by btwnprintedpgs
I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I went into this book thinking it'd be a full on romance, and, while we did get that, I found that the larger, resounding part of the story was found in Sadie's growth.
Sadie is a people pleaser and a fixer. She never knows when to stop as she puts her needs on a shelf in favour of helping others. Sacrificing sleep, pride, and sanity, Sadie is well on the edge of cracking under the pressure of trying to be everything for everyone else. I loved her growth through the book as she realizes the weight she puts on herself and that she doesn't need to please other people to live a good life. I loved her so much and I wanted to give her the biggest hug.
In contrast, everything seems to come easy for Sadie's academic rival, Julius Gong. He's well liked, smart, and unrelenting. That being said, if Julius was a quote, he'd be that one from Jane Austen's Emma, "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." Julius is definitely more of an actions-speak-louder-than-words kind of guy. While I grew to love him in some of his softer moments, I feel like I needed to get inside his brain. His and Sadie's banter (read: fights) allows readers to better understand his character and who he is, but I wish there'd been a longer heart-to-heart conversation somewhere along the line where we really get to crack him open. His actions did speak loud though, even coming through in off-hand mentions and actions construed as "evil."
Ann Liang's writing really propelled me through this book. Her ability to weave humour into conflict to ease tension; to makes scenes realistic, yet valuable to the story and still fun; and to write characters you easily fall in love, is absolutely unmatched. I'm so excited for all of her other releases this year and I hope one of her book tours brings her to Canada (I could only dream).
As a whole, I loved the message of this book and I love Ann Liang, so it's a winner for me. The only thing I wish I had more of was Julius's voice, but maybe we'll get that in the future!
TW: bullying, alcohol consumption
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
ARC gifted by Scholastic Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Sadie is a people pleaser and a fixer. She never knows when to stop as she puts her needs on a shelf in favour of helping others. Sacrificing sleep, pride, and sanity, Sadie is well on the edge of cracking under the pressure of trying to be everything for everyone else. I loved her growth through the book as she realizes the weight she puts on herself and that she doesn't need to please other people to live a good life. I loved her so much and I wanted to give her the biggest hug.
In contrast, everything seems to come easy for Sadie's academic rival, Julius Gong. He's well liked, smart, and unrelenting. That being said, if Julius was a quote, he'd be that one from Jane Austen's Emma, "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." Julius is definitely more of an actions-speak-louder-than-words kind of guy. While I grew to love him in some of his softer moments, I feel like I needed to get inside his brain. His and Sadie's banter (read: fights) allows readers to better understand his character and who he is, but I wish there'd been a longer heart-to-heart conversation somewhere along the line where we really get to crack him open. His actions did speak loud though, even coming through in off-hand mentions and actions construed as "evil."
Ann Liang's writing really propelled me through this book. Her ability to weave humour into conflict to ease tension; to makes scenes realistic, yet valuable to the story and still fun; and to write characters you easily fall in love, is absolutely unmatched. I'm so excited for all of her other releases this year and I hope one of her book tours brings her to Canada (I could only dream).
As a whole, I loved the message of this book and I love Ann Liang, so it's a winner for me. The only thing I wish I had more of was Julius's voice, but maybe we'll get that in the future!
TW: bullying, alcohol consumption
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
ARC gifted by Scholastic Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol