Loveboat Reunion

Thoroughly entertaining and heartwarming. (4.5 stars rounded up!)

Admittedly, when I heard about a companion novel about Sophie and Xavier a year or two ago, I didn't think much of it. However, I was curious as to what Sophie and Xavier's lives have to offer as we got a taste of it in the last third of the first book.

Fortunately for me, I really enjoyed reading their stories! Sophie, the charming and ambitious fashionista with the work ethic and the brains to prove that she's more than a pretty face. Xavier, the artist who puts on a "bad boy, don't care" mask because he's hiding his struggles, especially since it has affected the way he learns and sees the world. In the beginning, they want to stay friends... but their feelings kept threatening to rise up and forget their promises to themselves. After all, there was a reason they were drawn to each other back in the first book.

I especially enjoyed the finer details of their POVs; Sophie's for her eye for fashion and Xavier's for his eye for colour. Their storylines were delivered at a fair pace and I'm content with the way they were wrapped up.

It maintained the theme of family from the first book, except this time, it was Xavier Yeh's family. The boy felt stifled by his family and the reputation that comes along with his family name. He has an especially difficult relationship with his Ba, who had and has constantly criticized him, making him like he isn't enough, like he's a disgrace to the family and like he can't do anything right.

Similarly, the book also focused on self-discovery, with both characters coming to terms with their insecurities. Remember the fact that there was a reason they were attracted to each other in the first place? Yeah, it is tied into an insecurity that they both share.

The novel was split between being in the U.S. and in Taiwan during the Mid-Autumn Festival season. While the characters were venturing Taiwan, it involved some memories or present experiences with floating lanterns, bikes, baby pandas and the Taipei 101, just to name a few!

Overall, a lovely read that has me craving to go to Taipei.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for providing me the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's UK for the eARC of 'Loveboat Reunion', the companion novel (sequel) to 'Loveboat, Taipei' by Abigail Hing Wen. I have read Loveboat, Taipei prior to reading this ARC which I gave 5 stars.

Loveboat Reunion was absolutely amazing and I have to say, Abigail Hing Wen did it again. In the first book, I disliked Sophie but this story made me truly understand her and fall in love with her dedication and kind nature. Xaiver was an amazing love interest and the importance of his dyslexia was approached in such a well mannered way, it was so perfect.