Social Media Icons

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Review: Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen

Love, Decoded
by Jennifer Yen
Narrated by Annie Q

Thanks so much to Razorbill and PRHAudio for these gifted books.

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Publish Date: March 8, 2022
Audiobook
9 hrs 7 min
Standalone
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult, Retelling

High school junior Gigi Wong strives to be the best: the top student, the perfect friend, and the ideal daughter. But it’s tough when there's always someone who is just a little bit better. With college applications looming, she can't help but worry that she won't make the cut. Thankfully, her best friend Kyle never fails to find the right words--and the perfect bowl of ramen--to cheer her up.

After her teacher, Ms. Harris, announces she'll be nominating students for an app writing contest, Gigi is determined to be picked. After all, first prize is an exclusive tech internship, sure to make her application stand out. There's only one problem: she doesn't have a winning program. It isn't until transfer student Etta admits she's struggling to fit in at Superbia that Gigi stumbles on an idea. She'll use her coding skills--and the matchmaking experience she's gotten from weekends with Auntie Rose--to create a friend matching app! Etta will meet new people, and Gigi will guarantee her acceptance into college. It's foolproof.

What Gigi doesn't expect is for her app to go viral around school. Soon, she finds herself at the center of a scandal—and at odds with both Etta and Kyle. Can Gigi fix what went wrong, or will her desire to be perfect cost her the people she cares about most?

My Review:

Ok, this was such a super cute book!! Was it a bit cheesy? Well yes, but I expected that.  And apparently this is a retelling of Emma? Never read it so don't know but in case you did.... 😉 Auntie Rose's matchmaking technique gave me Indian Matchmaking vibes (sidebar: I can't wait for season 2!).  And like most younger generationals (not a real word but work with me here), Gigi thinks she can streamline it/adapt it with her coding! And, of course, she's right!  But don't knock old school ways either.. .just sayin'.

Honestly, I really love Gigi - she's blinded by her determination but quickly learns all her lessons.  It's nice to see the "less popular" crowd sticking up for each other.  Gigi also has the greatest intentions but sometimes goes about things in not the best manner.  A huge heart... I liked her dynamics with Etta, Kyle, her aunt, etc... she just seemed like a really REAL teen if that makes sense.  And an Asian cast repping various Asian cultures? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

I want to point out that Annie Q did an amazing job narrating this book.  I'm starting to learn the audiobook ropes now. 🤣  This is my first Yen but I'm gonna run and grab A Taste for Love.  Dang, Asian centered books always make me so hungry!! Hey Kyle, can you run to Ippudo for me and bring me some ramen?  Yes, the spicy kind... k, thanks!

Seriously y'all, this is a treat of a book and exactly what I needed right now.  Go snag yourself a copy.

★★★★

No comments

Leave a Comment