YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo–his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance–“Date Korean”–which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful–and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love–or himself–at all.

I forgot to pick this up when I was at my parents! So can't get to it until the middle or end of the month :(

Oh no Maddie!! I'll check back in at the middle of the month to see your thoughts on the book so you won't be commenting by yourself!! I will probably start this one this week because I planned too many books for this month and need to keep up with them all!

Thank you! And at least I'll have your updates to respond to!

Maddie I will read it with you then!

Thanks Heather!

Chapter 9- Oh man! I've been waiting for this book!! (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed the plot set up and how we were introduced to Frank's parents. I just got to the point where Frank and Joy came up with the idea to fake date, which I love, but I'm pretty sure they will get caught. So it won't be very "new" when reading. I'm interested in hearing more about Frank's sister's story! The issue I'm having with this book is the dialogue...It's not great, and it seems very YA even for YA. (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to read it too!

Very quick read!!

Chapter 13- (view spoiler)[ Frank decided to have a Korean BBQ for his classmates so Brit can think she's meeting his parents...really not cool, and I feel bad for Brit... This probably isn't going to end well. You can't change decades of racism and thoughts in just a few days, so we'll see what happens next, but I'm really feeling sad for Brit right now. (hide spoiler)]

I will definitely be checking back with you ladies about this book!! I have so many thoughts while reading this... :) HA! I will for sure want to hear/read your comments :)

Chapter 20- (view spoiler)[ I went from highly anticipating this book, to enjoying the beginning section a little bit, to kinda meh about the story, to not really liking this...I feel like it just gets worse and worse :( I have a feeling Frank will cheat on Brit. And Frank's dad getting shot??!! Whaaat? I'm confused on where this book is going.... :( :( Please pick back up for me! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21- (view spoiler)[ YIKES...this chapter...cringe! They went to a wedding....and yup, cheaters! I guess Frank loves Joy now? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23- (view spoiler)[ Frank officially broke up with Brit...at least he was honest that one time to her...Joy came over to help him with his black eye...I don't really know what is happening or why... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24- (view spoiler)[ They went to a Korean festival. I almost LOVED this chapter!! Finally hearing more about the culture, food, etc. This is what I was waiting for, but then the terrible language ruined it for me. And I talk like a pirate! I'm not offended by language...I say plenty of cuss words a day, but in this book, it seems out of place and kind of pointless to me.

"Dude, I'm so fucking goddam sorry my grandma was such a dick to you just now," he says. "Bitch can be such a bitch-ass, salty-ass bitch sometimes." "She calls me stupid all the time because my Korean fucking sucks."

WHAT?!?!! LOLOL! (hide spoiler)]

Yay! I did a quiz earlier in the year for which upcoming book was most like me and the answer was this one! So I'm keen to read it too!

Hello! Can I join this buddy read group? This is my first time so I’m not sure what the rules are but hoping this is how it is you join the groups.

Welcome Azraa! Of course you can join us! If you’re doing this for the monthly challenge, you just need a few updates on your thoughts about the book. (Minimum of 4 updates) I try to put mine in a spoiler tag that people have to click on so I don’t accidentally spoil anything :) Looking forward to you joining us!

Chapter 25- (view spoiler)[ This book has become a cycle of Frank and Joy kissing, then terrible dialogue, them kissing again, them with fartphone jokes, more kissing...I really don't care for either of them :( :(

The scene where they were taking coins from the fountain reminded me so much of the movie Goonies where they were stealing people's wishes... :( Just don't really like Frank. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ This book just wasn't for me :( I think it's because it was one of my most anticipated books, so I was REALLY excited for it, and just didn't care for it. The ending was so out of place and rushed. It was like too many things were going on: shooting, cancer, break-up, moving to college, Q being gay, dad's death...just too much for me.

I did like the first 100 page where the author did a good job setting up the struggle Frank had with his Korean and American ties. The racism from his family was set up nicely, and Frank trying to find his identity, but after those first few chapters the story didn't go anywhere for me. (hide spoiler)]

Opening thoughts - hope the narrator is relatable/likeable, or this could be tough.

Karen! I didn't know you were reading this one! :) I love reading people's thoughts and comments on books! I'll be checking in with you guys!

Thank you so much! I am not doing this for the monthly challenge, am just reading it for fun and thought about trying to read it with someone as it will be fun to share my thoughts.

Yes I love buddy reads Azraa!

@Maddie - I fell behind (whats new!) so I'm waiting on this one.. Let me know when you have it to start and I'll read with you!

Will do!

Yeah they sound great Maddie! Though my goodreads app doesn’t notify me about the new comments over here so sorry for late replies.

You can change it to give you email notifications which is what I've done.

Katie wrote: "Karen! I didn't know you were reading this one! :) I love reading people's thoughts and comments on books! I'll be checking in with you guys!"

Got it as a freebie from last month's challenge, and I thought it would get us that crucial 'I'...

Ch1. The voice is a bit ingratiating to start, though the set-up of the family is interesting.

Up to ch6. Both Frank and Joy seem to understand the issues each is facing.

Up to ch16. Something about this feels wrong. I understand£ what Frank and Joy are trying to pull off, but it’s not fair on the others.

Up to ch19. It feels as if Frank might be coming to see what’s important to him, but everything seems a bit disjointed.

Love reading everyone's thoughts on this.

@Karen-I remember thinking everything seemed disjointed as well while reading this...

Up to ch25. I want to b3 happy they’re happy (ish) but it all just seems such hard work.

Up to ch27. (view spoiler)[ Why am I not surprised that just after Frank and Joy have sex (which seems pretty quick) there’s a big bust-up between their parents. (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch30. (view spoiler)[ Loved the section where he’s reflecting on who his parents are and their lives, but everything is so self-absorbed. (hide spoiler)]

Finished. Review on home page. Aspects of this were interesting, and I did like the growing focus on Frank ‘s relationship with his family. However, Frank as a narrator was self-absorbed and I found him irritating rather than endearing.

Just checking back in to see when everyone else was going to read this :)

I'm in a slump, and have exams next week, so I'm really not reading much at the moment! Sorry!

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Date changed. Restarting November 16th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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I started this today. I'm in the middle of chapter 4. (view spoiler)[So far, I'm not loving it, but I'm not not liking it. I'm not the biggest fan of the writing style, and I have already gotten confused on at least two occasions (completely my own fault, but still annoying) like when there is quotation marks around what he is thinking or wants to say out loud but doesn't. I find that very confusing, you know that meme with the lady and all the math equations (great explanation, I know, lol) that is me when that happens. Why not just put it in italics or something. QUOTATIONS MEANS HE IS TALKING. OR USING AIR QUOTES. That just really bugs me, I;m dwelling on it way more than I should. That's it for now, not very far into it at all but I can't wait to read more!(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I didn't actually get the chance to read much more of this before my ebook copy was returned to the library. I read maybe a chapter or two more? I really didn't have enough time to read it, but by golly I tried. It was tech week for my play, and then the performances and with school and everything I was just too busy, I barely read anything at all. I did however put a hold on the audiobook and I will hopefully be getting it in maybe 4 weeks, so I do plan to continue it!

Let me know when you get it again and I'll try to join then! I keep planning to jump in on this one and schedule too many.

HeatherH wrote: "Let me know when you get it again and I'll try to join then! I keep planning to jump in on this one and schedule too many."

My audio copy has just come in so I have 3 weeks to finish it. Did you still want to read it?

Callie wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Let me know when you get it again and I'll try to join then! I keep planning to jump in on this one and schedule too many."

My audio copy has just come in so I have 3 weeks to fin..."

Yes! We can set the thread for any time, I might be a few days before I start but I'm in! I'm wrapping up a couple of others between tonight and tomorrow and need a break from all the fantasy stuff!

@HeatherH I'll probably be a couple days also, would the 15th or 16th work for you to start?

I'll request it for the 15th!

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Date changed. Restarting January 15th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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Hahaha trying again Heather? I still haven't read it either :p

Maddie wrote: "Hahaha trying again Heather? I still haven't read it either :p"

haha yeah.. Hopefully this time is successful!

I'm not even going to join :p I know I won't do it yet

Do you want to set a schedule or just read however much?