In Loveboat, Reunion, we get the reunion so many fans of Loveboat, Taipei, including myself were wishing for after the bittersweet ending of the first book. This series has so far been such a cute, fun, and comfortable read for anyone looking to find great characters and some adorable romance and this sequel was no exception. Loveboat, Reunion sees us meet our favourite characters from the last book again but this time from the perspective of Sophie and Xavier, a couple from Loveboat, Taipei that caused a bit of drama but had us cheering for their relationship since book one. In this novel, we explore their relationship as friends after all that happened in Loveboat, Taipei and how they both help each other out with their respective personal and professional situations.
Sophie is a powerhouse character—while having a life that is a little unrealistic to me, she’s smart and ambitious, and in this book, trying to get into a class that she thinks will make or break her career plans. Meanwhile, Xavier is struggling with his family’s education expectations without much support for his dyslexia as he tries to gain control of his inheritance so he can live his life without his overbearing father. Both Sophie and Xavier maintain contact despite being in different locations and try to help each other with their projects, finding themselves in Taipei again which sparks a frenzied, chaotic reunion between Loveboat, Taipai classmates that could jeopardise everything.
Abigail’s writing certainly didn’t me down in this novel as I immediately felt like I was easily thrown back into this world with these characters and I loved seeing the previous book’s protagonist and getting a glimpse of them post-book one. I was able to speed through the book because of how easy and fun this was! Sophie and Xavier are both such interesting and intricate characters that both go through their own respective character developments throughout the book while rekindling and realising their feelings for each other. The plot was never super predictable but instead took the story in places I didn’t anticipate and made me more engrossed and involved in the story as I kept reading.
This novel, in particular, was just as effective in highlighting the importance of family, of being proud of your family’s culture and really understanding why and what it’s all about. The touch of glamour and lack of realism made this novel fun and out of this world—which reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians on a slightly lower budget, and the slow burn second chance romance between Sophie and Xavier was great to read. I loved that they grew as individuals before getting together because it really put their individual character development arcs first, not the romance—a highly commendable choice for a YA novel.
Overall, this sequel was a fun, really enjoyable read that solidified some of the messages in Loveboat, Taipei, with different characters and more fun twists. It was certainly full of shocking, sad moments, angry scenes where even I got a bit mad at certain characters but also full of love, appreciation and an interesting sense of nostalgia. It’s also important to highlight the recognition and discussion around dyslexia which I really enjoyed learning about through this book and the fact that Abigail really emphasised that passions such as fashion and ‘girly’ things shouldn’t be underestimated or overlooked for what they are. It was inspirational and enlightening in that way and I’m so glad to have been given the opportunity to read it! I’d highly recommend this to anyone that enjoyed Loveboat, Taipei or even those who might want to read Sophie and Xavier’s story exclusively. Immerse yourself again in Taipei with a gorgeous cast of characters in Loveboat, Reunion!
Loveboat, Reunion is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
This companion novel to Abigail Hing Wen’s New York Times bestselling debut, Loveboat, Taipei, follows two fan favorite characters—Sophie and Xavier—as they reconnect and write their own futures on a wild, unexpected Loveboat reunion.
Sophie Ha and Xavier Yeh have what some would call a tumultuous past.
It’s a classic tale of girl-meets-boy, boy-meets-other-girl, heart-gets-broken, revenge-is-plotted, everything-blows-up. Spectacularly.
At least they’re friends now. They’ve left the drama behind them back in Taipei—at their summer program, Loveboat—forever.
Now fall is here, and it’s time to focus on what really matters. Sophie is determined to be the best student Dartmouth’s ever had. Forget finding the right guy to make her dreams come true—Sophie is going to make her future happen for herself. Xavier, on the other hand, just wants to stay under his overbearing father’s radar, collect his trust fund when he turns eighteen, and concentrate on what makes him happy, for the first time ever.
But the world doesn’t seem to want Sophie and Xavier to succeed. Sophie’s college professor thinks her first major project is “too feminine.” Xavier’s father gives him an ultimatum: finish high school or be cut off from his inheritance.
Then Sophie and Xavier find themselves on a wild, nonstop Loveboat reunion, each trying to resist the chemistry that originally led to them to combust. As they grow closer, they hatch a plan to take control of their own futures. Step one? Break all the rules.
Expansive and romantic, glamorous and tender, Loveboat Reunion takes readers back to Taipei through the eyes of Sophie and Xavier, on an unforgettable journey of glittering revelry and self-discovery that’s perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Mary H. K. Choi.
