Clementine and Danny Save the World (and Each Other)

Livia Blackburne’s Clementine and Danny Save the World (and Each Other) is a charming YA contemporary that blends activism, social media, and romance in an engaging way.

Clementine Chan believes in the power of the written word. Under the pseudonym Hibiscus, she runs a popular blog reviewing tea shops and discussing larger issues within her Chinatown community. She has a loyal, kind following—except for one sour grape, BobaBoy888. Unbeknownst to her, BobaBoy888 is none other than Danny Mok, a boy deeply attached to his neighborhood and frustrated by its gentrification. While Clementine fights for change through her blog, Danny resists it, preferring to voice his opinions through playful (and sometimes infuriating) online banter.

The show more novel does a great job of highlighting the tension between activism and personal struggles. Clementine and Danny’s dynamic is entertaining, full of witty exchanges and slow-burn chemistry. Their anonymous internet rivalry evolving into real-life teamwork adds a fun twist, and their shared passion for protecting Chinatown gives their story heart.

However, while the premise is strong, some elements feel a little rushed. The activism plotline, though compelling, sometimes lacks depth, and certain conflicts resolve too conveniently. Additionally, the romance—while sweet—follows a fairly predictable trajectory.

Overall, Clementine and Danny Save the World (and Each Other) is an enjoyable read with likable characters and meaningful themes. While it doesn’t fully explore all its ideas, it’s still a fun and thought-provoking story about community, identity, and the power of words. show less

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher of HarperCollins, and the author Livia Blackburne for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Blackburne writes an entertaining YA story about Chinese/Asian Americans and the importance of Chinatowns/Asian ethnic enclaves and community. Blackburne's usage of the internet, social media, and social media activism remain topical and relevant to contemporary Asian/Chinese American activism. Blackburne's discussion of cultural tradition vs modernization/Westernization/fusion/adaptation echoes past debates within the Asian/Chinese American space and scene. Blackburne's discussion of these themes occurs with the main protagonist, Clementine Chan, and her love interest, Danny Mok. If readers are familiar show more with Chinese American history, they'll know and understand Clementine Chan as Chinese Americans have engaged in modernization/Westernization/fusion/adaptation throughout history. That's one of the ways in which Chinatown has been created and how Chinese Americans have survived in America. Think of Westernized Chinese food like chop suey, PF Changs, or General Tso's Chickens. Readers will also appreciate learning more about traditional Chinese tea culture. One minor critique is exploring more of the class dynamic between Clementine and Danny and how class as well as gender inform their lived experiences. I wished Clementine could unpack her class experience more and Danny with misogyny and being an Asian man. Nonetheless, this was a quick and fun breeze to read through. show less