Loveboat, Taipei is a highly anticipated Asian YA Contemporary Romance by Abigail Hing Wen. It can catch anyone’s attention through that gorgeous cover and the excellency with which it shouts Asian, but what’s even more amazing is the compelling story held within this book. Great representation meets emotional roller-coaster but this short phrase doesn’t do justice to Loveboat, Taipei. However, it is pitched as a perfect read for fans of Crazy Rich Asians and La La Land and that does immensely suit this book.
1. Loveboat, Taipei has the right mix of thoughtful themes like parenthood, aspirations, financial status, love, and friendship—as seen in Crazy Rich Asians.
The widely popular series called Crazy Rich Asians exhibits the luxury charm of upper-Asian families but at the same time, it dwells on contemplative themes like fidelity and love in an appreciable manner. Similarly, Loveboat, Taipei works to bring financial privileges and newfound friendships to the table while deeper ideas of young love and sacrificed aspirations brings the need of a napkin to that same table—warning: you will need to dry up those tears that’ll come running while reading this.
2. Loveboat, Taipei shines under the passion for dance just as La La Land shines brightly under the passion for music and grace.
If La La Land won your heart with all the song-and-dance performances, essentially why it is an Oscar-winning musical, Loveboat, Taipei will strike those heart strings too. Ever—the female protagonist of this young adult romance—is passionate as a ballet dancer; she wants to dance forever, and that desperation really comes out through the pages of the book. Her thoughts about dancing, her happiness when she thinks of a new move, or the final performance in the story: it all can help you reminisce the spectacular dance sequence under the lamplight in La La Land.
3. Loveboat, Taipei has commendable discussions & thoughts about Asian-American identities, similar to the significant ideas seen in Crazy Rich Asians.
As Rachel is seen split between her Asian and American identity in Crazy Rich Asians, Ever is seen to reset her own perceptions of and as an Asian-American. The evident line that is always present between an immigrant family and the relatives that reside in the home country is projected to throw some light on possible discussions around belonging to two cultures and not belonging to either. One particular scene in Loveboat, Taipei is set to win every reader who finds themselves represented through Ever: where she wonders if her life would’ve been better, if she could’ve opted for her dreams easily, the things that could’ve happened if her parents hadn’t migrated to America…or vice-versa.
4. Loveboat, Taipei’s Ever, Rick, and Xavier will give you an unforgettable young romance—yes, like La La Land & Crazy Rich Asians.
If you loved the gorgeous couple in both La La Land and Crazy Rich Asians but wanted more, maybe even a love triangle, then Loveboat, Taipei will give you exactly that and so much more. Not only is the romance swoon-worthy but it sits so well with the growing personalities by showcasing awkward moments, intimacy in sex, thoughts about love—and all this happens while a great Asian representation is making the characters worry about their tiger parents at every point. Remember that napkin mentioned earlier? Yes, it’ll be needed for the romance too because good tears, sad tears, they’re all going to be rolling down.
There you have it! If you’ve ever tried to search for books like Crazy Rich Asians or are a fan of La La Land but wanted to dive into written words, you finally have a read that would not disappoint you at all. From the excellent ownvoices Asian-American representation to the young romance, Loveboat, Taipei will leave you craving for more works by Abigail Hing Wen.
Disclaimer: I was lucky to be a part of the blog tour organised by Karina @AfirePages which is the reason I got to read an early digital copy of Loveboat, Taipei. Thank you, HarperCollins International, Karina, and Abigail Hing Wen!
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Title: Loveboat, Taipei
Author: Nina Varela
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publishing Date: January 7th, 2020
Pages: 432
Age Category & Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen, and praised as “an intense rush of rebellion and romance” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, this romantic and layered
Own Voices debut from Abigail Hing Wen is a dazzling, fun-filled romp.
“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.
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I love the cover so much and I really looking forward to read this! Everyone seems to love this book and praise the characters, it seems like something I would love <3
Yess! I hope you enjoy it just as much <3 And oh, of course, the cover is too good!
i’m super glad that you loved this!! ahhh, i feel like the black sheep because i simply rated this 3 stars. don’t get me wrong, i enjoyed it, but the pacing really didn’t do it to me. i felt like this book really didn’t need to be that long, haha. but I agree with you on so many things! Ever’s passion for dancing is palpable on the page, and this book tackles so, so many relevant issues—more than I can count!
Oh, nah, don’t worry! I understand how every read can be subjective. And yup, I did feel that about the pacing but I think I was so struck by the love triangle–I was literally living my long gone teenage years through it OOPS, haha–and that made me just love the book overall.
Normally I’m not that into contemporary novels, but I keep hearing such good things about this, and your review just keeps adding to that! Going to have to submit a purchase request to my library ASAP, and then sit with SO MUCH IMPATIENCE waiting for it to come in (or be denied, but let’s not entertain that scenario). Fantastic review!
Thank you so much! I’m glad I’m urging you to pick it up, especially from a library wohooo <3 I hope you enjoy whenever you get to read it 😀
This book is soo hyped and now after your post I wanna read this.
Hope you enjoy it!
This review is amazing! You did a great job Fanna!
You make this book sound very real but also full of magic, kinda like a dream about everyday life. I hope I’ll get the chance to read it soon!