Synopses & Reviews
Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen, and praised as "an intense rush of rebellion and romance" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, this romantic and layered Own Voices debut from Abigail Hing Wen is a dazzling, fun-filled romp.
"Our cousins have done this program," Sophie whispers. "Best kept secret. Zero supervision."
And just like that, Ever Wong's summer takes an unexpected turn. Gone is Chien Tan, the strict educational program in Taiwan that Ever was expecting. In its place, she finds Loveboat: a summer-long free-for-all where hookups abound, adults turn a blind eye, snake-blood sake flows abundantly, and the nightlife runs nonstop.
But not every student is quite what they seem:
Ever is working toward becoming a doctor but nurses a secret passion for dance.
Rick Woo is the Yale-bound child prodigy bane of Ever's existence whose perfection hides a secret.
Boy-crazy, fashion-obsessed Sophie Ha turns out to have more to her than meets the eye.
And under sexy Xavier Yeh's shell is buried a shameful truth he'll never admit.
When these students' lives collide, it's guaranteed to be a summer Ever will never forget.
Review
"Not a ship, but a cultural phenomenon, get ready to board the Love Boat, where millions of Chinese Americans get their first taste of love and freedom. Abigail Hing Wen's debut is fresh as a first kiss." Stacey Lee, award winning author of OUTRUN THE MOON
Review
"Ever's search to define herself, with all her intersecting identities, in a world that wants to define her is really beautifully wrought and lovely." Anne Ursu, author of the National Book Award long listed novel The Lost Boy
Review
"There's a sweetness to Ever's rumspringa, and the hothouse atmosphere of Chien Tan, with its intense relationships and clever balance between respectability for parents and opportunistic freedom for their offspring, is deftly conveyed." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
"Fresh, fun, heartfelt, and totally addictive, a story about finding your place — and your people — where you least expected." Kelly Loy Gilbert, author of the William C. Morris Award finalist Conviction
About the Author
Abigail Hing Wen holds a BA from Harvard, a JD from Columbia Law School, and an MFA from the Vermont School of Fine Arts. When she's not writing stories or listening to her favorite scores, she is busy working as an attorney in venture capital and artificial intelligence in Silicon Valley, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Loveboat, Taipei is her first novel. www.abigailhingwen.com