Loveboat forever

Pearl Wong decides to spend her summer in Taiwan after a social media mishap causes her to lose her seat at a prestigious orchestra program in this stand-alone companion to Loveboat, Taipei (2020) and Loveboat Reunion (2022). Seventeen-year-old Pearl reasons that enrolling in Chien Tan, the Chinese language and culture program unofficially known to participants as "Loveboat," would help her keep a low profile while also exploring new interests. Loveboat was a transformative experience for Ever, Pearl's older sister, and Pearl, whose life is devoted to her budding career as a pianist, wants the same for herself. At the Taipei campus, she meets Ethan Kang, a violinist who shares Pearl's love of Western classical music. Their flirty jam sessions quickly turn into something steamier, but a heart-pounding encounter at a masquerade party leaves Pearl curious about the masked stranger she kissed. Pearl also develops an interest in the pipa, a traditional Chinese lute that her great-grandmother played professionally, and begins spending time with Kai Ai, a talented pipa player whose prickly demeanor hides unexpected thoughtfulness. With help from those around her--including new Loveboat friends Hollis, who is nonbinary, and their twin, Iris, as well as Loveboat alumna and self-designated aunty Sophie Ha--Pearl tries to sort through tangled romantic feelings while reconsidering her identity as a Chinese American musician. Pearl's earnestness shines through her narration, taking readers with her on an eye-opening summer of self-examination and finding her roots. Heartfelt. (Romance. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.