Never Thought I’d End Up Here

Gr 8 Up–After an embarrassing mishap in front of Leah’s nemesis Cyrus at her cousin’s wedding, Leah’s lack of Chinese culture gets her sent on an immersive “Journey to the East” trip to rediscover her roots. To make matters worse, not only is Cyrus on the same trip, but they’re also forced to be partners in a competition. He’s the reason her life drastically changed two years ago, but now, he seems different. Can Leah and Cyrus stop bickering long enough to discover who the other person truly is, or will their past block any future they could have? Liang adds to her rom-com repertoire with a feel-good story about finding comfort in the spontaneity and unknowable moments of life. Both Leah and Cyrus have past trauma that’s impacted how they define and act in relationships. The “will they, won’t they” plot draws readers into the story and helps carry the funny and sweet moments as the characters get closer. It’s a whirlwind romance of connection, forgiveness, and growing up that many will find relevant. Although filled with endearing character arcs, some key plot points don’t receive the follow-through desired to fully tie together Leah and Cyrus’s evolving relationship. They are both Chinese American.