This Time It's Real
by Ann Liang
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Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin's essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine...and a massive secret to show more keep.
Eliza made her essay up. She's never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?
Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She'll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend — he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.
But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza's carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?
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Seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s family has returned to Beijing, after over a decade of living in different countries, and yet again Eliza is starting at a new school. She decides to approach a school-assigned personal essay like a creative writing task, not expecting her piece to go viral. Suddenly a lot of people are very interested in hearing more about her relationship with a boyfriend who doesn’t actually exist.
This is shades of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and I enjoyed it for similar reasons. There’s a sweet romance which unfolds with a boy who Eliza confides in, but I liked how Eliza’s attempts at maintaining a long-distance friendship with a former classmate from the US is also an important and emotional part of show more the story.
I also liked the way the novel explores Eliza’s reticence to honestly share her own experiences with others. Her nomadic upbringing has left her feeling like she doesn’t easily fit in, at least not into the boxes other people want to put her in, and people often aren’t interested in trying to understand that.
This is shades of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and I enjoyed it for similar reasons. There’s a sweet romance which unfolds with a boy who Eliza confides in, but I liked how Eliza’s attempts at maintaining a long-distance friendship with a former classmate from the US is also an important and emotional part of show more the story.
Because there aren’t thousands of books and poems and movies out there to describe exactly what I’m feeling, or lyrically beautiful songs for me to cry to and sing along with in the car. There’s no guidebook on how to survive this kind of fallout, no prescribed remedy to soothe this particular kind of pain. Romantic breakups are romanticised constantly, talked about everywhere by everyone, but platonic breakups are swept to the side, suffered in secret, as if they’re somehow less important.
I also liked the way the novel explores Eliza’s reticence to honestly share her own experiences with others. Her nomadic upbringing has left her feeling like she doesn’t easily fit in, at least not into the boxes other people want to put her in, and people often aren’t interested in trying to understand that.
This is the closest I have ever gotten to voicing the truth: that I’m afraid. That for a long time now, between maybe the third and fourth move, the fourth or fifth friend I lost along the way, I’ve suspected that there's something fundamentally unlovable about me. Something that makes it easy for people to forget me the second I leave, to drift out of touch no matter how hard I try to keep them in my life.show less
I’ve said before that my default setting is loneliness, but maybe I was wrong.
Maybe it’s really fear.
This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang
Set atmospherically in Beijing, China, this young adult romance novel is a pleasant surprise in an increasingly cynical age. From the natural weaving of Chinese culture throughout the plot, to the witty banter and passionate dialogue, Liang’s world feels profoundly authentic. There is an obvious self-awareness to the teen courtship cliches, and an irresistible charm woven into her writing. This is a novel for the dreamers and hopeless romantics, but also for the individuals who struggle to believe they’ll find love. I found it to be intensely relatable, heartfelt, and ultimately delightful — after all, doesn’t finding the meaning of home and family speak to us all? For those who love the show more fake-romance-turned-real trope, C-dramas, confessions in the rain, defensive sarcasm, and beautiful culinary descriptions, this novel is an emotional roller coaster with the sincerity that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love. show less
Set atmospherically in Beijing, China, this young adult romance novel is a pleasant surprise in an increasingly cynical age. From the natural weaving of Chinese culture throughout the plot, to the witty banter and passionate dialogue, Liang’s world feels profoundly authentic. There is an obvious self-awareness to the teen courtship cliches, and an irresistible charm woven into her writing. This is a novel for the dreamers and hopeless romantics, but also for the individuals who struggle to believe they’ll find love. I found it to be intensely relatable, heartfelt, and ultimately delightful — after all, doesn’t finding the meaning of home and family speak to us all? For those who love the show more fake-romance-turned-real trope, C-dramas, confessions in the rain, defensive sarcasm, and beautiful culinary descriptions, this novel is an emotional roller coaster with the sincerity that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of love. show less
The plot is one often used...Fake boyfriend/girlfriend, coupled with a secret driving at least one of the participants. This time both have motivation, but readers don't know that at the beginning. The unraveling/revealing is done smoothly, although there are times when I (and many readers, I suspect) will want to give Eliza a dope slap. Nonetheless, it's a very satisfying read.
《 four stars 》
⭒˚.⋆ ❝there’s something strangely intimate about calling someone in the dark. it’s like listening to your favorite song in the middle of a crowded subway; the world narrows down to just you and this voice in your ear, while everyone else around you goes about their lives, completely oblivious❞ ⋆.˚⭒
An enchanting little adventure through the streets of Beijing and the hearts and homes of a delightful cast of characters, each full of their own quirks and charm that endeared them to me... especially the story's leading lady, Eliza, in whom I found a character and story that were quite a bit like my own, therefore making someone I related to strongly, to the point that it was almost painful at times. Caz show more and Emily, while I did not form as close an attachment to them as with Eliza, were also delightful characters that I loved and found hard to say goodbye to as the last pages came into sight.
There were a few content warnings, such as swearing (including the Lord's name in vain) and a minor gay character, which detracted from my enjoyment a little bit, but as they were not significant parts of the story and writing, nor at all the sort of content that pops up on every page, they didn't bother me too greatly, though I still would've preferred it if they weren't present.
But that aside, this book was all-in-all one I found myself sobbing over as I turned the last page, wishing that I could've remained there with the characters and my beloved Asia for a good deal longer. Suffice it to say that this is comfort movie material in book form, for me, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if I picked it up for a reread in the future. I definitely see why her books are so hyped up and well-loved... and quite deserving of it, which is a rare, but pleasant surprise. ♥ show less
⭒˚.⋆ ❝there’s something strangely intimate about calling someone in the dark. it’s like listening to your favorite song in the middle of a crowded subway; the world narrows down to just you and this voice in your ear, while everyone else around you goes about their lives, completely oblivious❞ ⋆.˚⭒
An enchanting little adventure through the streets of Beijing and the hearts and homes of a delightful cast of characters, each full of their own quirks and charm that endeared them to me... especially the story's leading lady, Eliza, in whom I found a character and story that were quite a bit like my own, therefore making someone I related to strongly, to the point that it was almost painful at times. Caz show more and Emily, while I did not form as close an attachment to them as with Eliza, were also delightful characters that I loved and found hard to say goodbye to as the last pages came into sight.
There were a few content warnings, such as swearing (including the Lord's name in vain) and a minor gay character, which detracted from my enjoyment a little bit, but as they were not significant parts of the story and writing, nor at all the sort of content that pops up on every page, they didn't bother me too greatly, though I still would've preferred it if they weren't present.
But that aside, this book was all-in-all one I found myself sobbing over as I turned the last page, wishing that I could've remained there with the characters and my beloved Asia for a good deal longer. Suffice it to say that this is comfort movie material in book form, for me, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if I picked it up for a reread in the future. I definitely see why her books are so hyped up and well-loved... and quite deserving of it, which is a rare, but pleasant surprise. ♥ show less
3.5 Stars
I'm really sad, because I really wanted to enjoy this considering it's my first Ann Liang book (an author I've heard nothing but great things about). Unfortunately, this didn't start clicking with me until around the 70-80% mark, and I believe the reasoning to be in part the writing style, and in part that this felt more like contemporary fiction than contemporary romance— which I was not expecting. I still want to give Liang's other books a try though, as their synopses all sound very intriguing.
I'm really sad, because I really wanted to enjoy this considering it's my first Ann Liang book (an author I've heard nothing but great things about). Unfortunately, this didn't start clicking with me until around the 70-80% mark, and I believe the reasoning to be in part the writing style, and in part that this felt more like contemporary fiction than contemporary romance— which I was not expecting. I still want to give Liang's other books a try though, as their synopses all sound very intriguing.
This Time it’s Real by Ann Liang
Contemporary YA romance. Own voice, Beijing, China. HFN.
17 year old Eliza Hunts school essay goes viral. She made up a story about meeting the love of her life. Everyone is enamored with the. Story and her writing. She proposes a fake relationship with K-drama and school mate Caz Song. They pretend to be a couple and as time goes on, they become friends. But Eliza has always lost friends when she moves with family. They all disappear over time. Eliza is afraid to tell Caz how she really feels in case he breaks her heart.
Their relationship is built on a lie. Eliza has known the potential crash since the beginning yet she pursues it regardless. I enjoyed the first half knowing she was making a mistake show more but along for the ride hoping for friendship and love to follow. But she’s so afraid. So much angst. A lot of the second half of the story is so sad in her fear of the future of getting hurt. Don’t give up! Eliza learns she needs to open her heart and reach out. She can’t keep her fear or expectation of a future hurt get in the way of expressing her feelings.
Sweet, charming, a bit heartbreaking, and in the end, full of hope.
I received a copy of this from the publisher. show less
Contemporary YA romance. Own voice, Beijing, China. HFN.
17 year old Eliza Hunts school essay goes viral. She made up a story about meeting the love of her life. Everyone is enamored with the. Story and her writing. She proposes a fake relationship with K-drama and school mate Caz Song. They pretend to be a couple and as time goes on, they become friends. But Eliza has always lost friends when she moves with family. They all disappear over time. Eliza is afraid to tell Caz how she really feels in case he breaks her heart.
Their relationship is built on a lie. Eliza has known the potential crash since the beginning yet she pursues it regardless. I enjoyed the first half knowing she was making a mistake show more but along for the ride hoping for friendship and love to follow. But she’s so afraid. So much angst. A lot of the second half of the story is so sad in her fear of the future of getting hurt. Don’t give up! Eliza learns she needs to open her heart and reach out. She can’t keep her fear or expectation of a future hurt get in the way of expressing her feelings.
Sweet, charming, a bit heartbreaking, and in the end, full of hope.
I received a copy of this from the publisher. show less
A solid 4.5.
It gave the wholesome C-drama vibe being all cute and sweet.
I also do feel Erika's anxiety of losing touch with people and Caz being charismatic as hell.
It was an enjoyable read that was like a hot cup of tea ☕under warm winter sun.
It gave the wholesome C-drama vibe being all cute and sweet.
I also do feel Erika's anxiety of losing touch with people and Caz being charismatic as hell.
It was an enjoyable read that was like a hot cup of tea ☕under warm winter sun.
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