Book Review: “Asking for a Friend” by Kara H.L. Chen

“Asking for a Friend” by Kara H.L. Chen (2024)

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

Page Length: 336 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

Juliana Zhao is absolutely certain of a few things:

1. She is the world’s foremost expert on love.

2. She is going to win the nationally renowned Asian Americans in Business Competition.

When Juliana is unceremoniously dropped by her partner and she’s forced to pair with her nonconformist and annoying frenemy, Garrett Tsai, everything seems less clear. Their joint dating advice column must be good enough to win and secure bragging rights within her small Taiwanese American community, where her family’s reputation has been in the pits since her older sister was disowned a few years prior. Juliana always thought prestige mattered above all else. But as she argues with Garrett over how to best solve everyone else’s love problems and faces failure for the first time, she starts to see fractures in this privileged, sheltered worldview. With the competition heating up, Juliana must reckon with the sacrifices she’s made to be a perfect daughter—and whether winning is something she even wants anymore.

Review:

Asking For a Friend Is a Romance novel mixed with a coming-of-age story following the main character character Juliana who enters into a local business competition. Juliana is headstrong and determined to win the competition at any length especially with her mom pushing her from behind. She ends up teaming up with her former friend/frenemy Garrett to ace the competition. When old feelings arise things become complicated in the competition and her family life. It’s up to Juliana to choose what path she must take towards the future.

“But what if there were things— people— I couldn’t give up? At what age can you stop saying, It was because my parents told me so, and take responsibility for your actions? When do you have to finally admit that your choices are who you are?”

This novel gives friends to lovers or feelings for the romance aspect but as a whole the novel felt more like a coming-of-age story about growing up and making hard choices. Juliana ultimately has to make a choice, choosing between what her head and her heart truly want. The novel also is a commentary on culture and immigration as well as grief. All topics intertwined within the plot smoothly and I think some of the discussions in the novel make this a relatable read for its YA audience. The novel also is a commentary on culture as well as grief. Juliana as well as her family grapples with losing her father and missing him dearly but also wants to carry on his legacy in the best way. She becomes torn as the past arises and some secrets that come to light. What is it that her dad would want for the family’s future?

I enjoyed the setting of the Old Taipei community and its residents. Readers get to see the rich Taiwanese culture from the food and traditions and how the community is affected by an ever-changing world (and greedy corporations). This novel reminds its audience, about how important it is to keep cultural centers for people to keep the community together and how when these places are destroyed the community community can fall apart. The competition aspect was fun and exciting and I like to see how Juliana and Garrett take on each challenge as well as slowly start to repair their relationship with each other after their fallout from years past. The romance was very sweet and it kind of gave a slow-burn feel as they slowly discover their true feelings for each other.

This is a great novel about growing up and discovering that the choices that we make are not always easy. It’s a lesson that we should choose things that best impact our future and not make choices based on what others want for us.

Final Verdict: