Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Tieu (Fancy Meeting You Here) sets this lackluster rom-com at a high-stakes high school reunion. In 2003, Rachel Dang was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by her high school classmates, and she planned to live up to expectations. An extremely hardworking teen, her only pleasure was talking to her AIM crush, SuperxSaiyan8, later revealed to be her classmate Danny Phan. Danny's just as smart but lacks Rachel's work ethic, and when he scores higher than her on an AP exam, their text-based relationship sours. Twenty years later, Rachel gets an invitation from Danny to attend their reunion and receive an award for her career success. What Danny doesn't know, however, is that Rachel's recently been let go. Rather than being upset by the layoff, she feels unburdened and ready to explore other options for her once carefully planned life. Danny, meanwhile, has become a successful businessman. The night of their reunion, a quick errand turns into an unexpected misadventure, over the course of which they come to realize that their feelings have not diminished in 20 years. Tieu's characters feel tragically trapped in high school, and their relationship issues could be easily resolved through one honest conversation that the plot repeatedly contrives to delay. Readers won't be convinced that these two will work. (Feb.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Rachel Dang was once voted "Most Likely To Succeed" in high school. Now 38, single, and newly unemployed, Rachel feels her life is off track. An invitation to her high school reunion rekindles memories of her first crush, Danny Phan, the boy she used to tutor and chat with on AOL Instant Messenger. As Rachel navigates her past and present, the story oscillates between high school memories and current events, blending nostalgia with a search for closure. Tieu, known for her ability to weave cultural authenticity into her narratives, delivers a story that resonates with anyone who has grappled with the pressure of expectations and the longing for what might have been. The novel captures the essence of early-2000s culture and explores the pressures of societal expectations for Asian Americans, but the slow pace and numerous side characters may distract from the central romance. VERDICT Tieu (Fancy Meeting You Here) offers a light-hearted, relatable read for those who appreciate second-chance romances and the nuances of family dynamics.--Michelle Mistalski
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
