About the Book
-
Author:
- Abigail Hing Wen
- Genres:
- Action-Adventure
- Boy-Girl Romance
- Voices:
- Chinese Diaspora
- Cis Boy
- Straight
Cover Story: Three Amigos
Drinking Buddy: No
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (action movie violence)
Talky Talk: I’ll Wait for the Movie
Bonus Factors: Codes, Homeless Shelters
Bromance Status: Until the Next Adventure
Cover Story: Three Amigos
I don’t normally care for covers that show the faces of the main characters, but this one well done enough that I’ll give it a pass. The macho title will allow guy readers to pretend this isn’t a romance, while maybe finally getting up the courage to ask out their cute friend.
The Deal: Geeky Tan Lee somehow ended up dating mega hot and mega rich Rebecca…until he introduced himself to her family and her mother responded by hitting Rebecca with her purse. Her family spirited her back to China, without so much as a breakup email.
But maybe it’s for the best. Tan goes to prom with his best buddy Winter (who is also his roommate, as she and her mother are renting a room in Tan’s house). And sparks fly. One passionate kiss later, Tan can forget all about Rebecca. He’s found new love with…wait…
No, Winter says the kiss was a mistake. They live together, for Pete’s sake, and with Tan’s parents being her family’s landlords…it’s just too weird. They should stay friends.
But one night, when Tan’s parents have taken Winter’s mother on a trip to Hawaii, leaving the teens in charge of Tan’s little sister, Sana, Rebecca shows up. She’s run away from her parents and her abusive new boyfriend, and just needs to crash with Tan for a couple of nights. C’mon, for old time’s sake.
Winter is not pleased with this turn of events, though she has no standing to tell Rebecca to get lost. And Tan reluctantly agrees to help her. Of course, there’s a lot more to her story than a falling out with her parents. Soon, the four kids are on the run from people who will stop at nothing to find Rebecca.
Drinking Buddy: No
Tan was a nice guy, and you know where they finish. But Tan has every right to call out Rebecca for totally ghosting him, and then asking for help, knowing she was bringing danger to him and his family. Instead, he just kind of goes along with it. And then there’s the Winter situation. They’re clearly hot for each other, and yes, dating your landlord’s son might put you in an uncomfortable position, especially if things didn’t work out. But Tan lets months go by, ignoring his best friend whom he lives with. I would have respected him more if it didn’t take a helicopter crash to tell Winter that he didn’t regret their kiss.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (action movie violence)
This was YA action, and you expect everything to be over the top. It’s candy for the literary mind, and it’s fun to suspend your disbelief. To a point. But I’m sorry, no matter how powerful and well-connected you are, you can’t summon a team of mercenaries in ten minutes, when you weren’t even aware your kid was in the United States. And no matter how many San Francisco cops you’ve paid off, you’re not going to get the police force to ignore a helicopter raid in the middle of Union Square.
Talky Talk: I’ll Wait for the Movie
Seriously, this would make a good movie, with lots of narrow escapes and bad guys. And not on the basis of deep characters or good dialog.
Also, Barnes & Noble stores are truly a haven in this world gone mad. Books, games, snacks…what better way to while away an afternoon, with your family or all by yourself. Log onto the website to buy a gift card today!
Yeah, I think the author was kind of hoping for this book to be placed on the end cap at B&N. Sana couldn’t stop talking about how much fun she has at the store, and of course, that’s where our heroes make their final stand against the villains. Major product placement, especially in a novel set in a city with a lot of great indie bookstores.
Bonus Factor: Codes
No, not coding, but codes. Tan has always been interested in codes, and his love for ciphers had really helped out his parents and their crypto currency exchange business. But maybe his skills have made him a target for Rebecca’s enemies, and put not only Winter, but his sister and parents in danger.
Bonus Factor: Homeless Shelters
So with Rebecca’s every online move being traced, Tan’s home compromised, a rapidly dwindling supply of money, and a five-year-old girl who doesn’t really understand what’s going on, where can they drop anchor? Well, Winter’s late immigrant father once had to spend time at a homeless shelter for teens. Our friends make camp there and help out the awesome young nun who runs the place. And it’s funny to see wealthy Rebecca sleeping in a communal room and earning her keep. But her enemies will stop at nothing. Have the kids brought danger to this oasis?
Bromance Status: Until the Next Adventure
Maybe not my cup of tea, but I think enough readers will relate to Tan and Winter to make this one a winner.
Literary Matchmaking
Mackenzi Lee’s Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is also about a girl who gives up her comfy upbringing for a life of adventures.
The Lightness of Hands, by Jeff Garvin, is another good heist book.
As is Death Prefers Blondes, by Caleb Roehrig (very purple matchmaking this time).
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher, but no money or a gift card to Barnes & Noble.
