Cover Image: Loveboat Forever

Loveboat Forever

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Member Reviews

Ah, the Loveboat series! Pearl Wong, younger sister of Ever, is set for a summer in NYC at an exclusive music program, but her plans implode when, at the encouragement of her manager, she posts a TikTok that goes horribly wrong. And this starts the question of culture and how to represent yourself online. But it also pushes Pearl to attend Loveboat on a scholarship. For the first time, she learns about her heritage, falls in love with the instrument her grandmother played, and finds the person she's meant to become. Yes, there is love and drama, but I think this is my favorite book in the series. Abigail Hing Wen goes heavier into culture wars and it makes for a compelling story, rich in detail and beauty. This is the first Loveboat I could see being 13 and up. Loved it.

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In the third book in the Loveboat trilogy, little sister and music prodigy Pearl takes center stage as she joins the Taipei summer program, aka Loveboat. However, she joins it under completely different circumstances than her sister, Ever, did. Pearl is the subject of a huge online scandal amongst the orchestra elite, and what better place to lay low than in Taipei. After reluctantly agreeing to this plan, Pearl embraces her Chinese heritage and is determined to make the most of the cultural immersion camp. Of course, it is “Loveboat”, where students sneak out to parties, hook up with random strangers, and form tight friendships. What remains to be seen is how this wild side of Taipei helps or hurts Pearl’s chances at getting back into the good graces of the classical music scene.

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I don’t love a love triangle so was a little nervous about this one but I think ultimately this is about Pearl finding herself. The Loveboat books are a fun escape, but the deeper themes are also appreciated.

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I felt like this was a satisfying end to the Loveboat, Taipei trilogy. We follow Pearl, Ever’s younger sister, as she embarks on her own journey of self-discovery after a disastrous viral TikTok puts her dreams on hold. Pearl is such a kind-hearted optimistic protagonist that you cannot help but love.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I did feel like this series as a whole was very formulaic, which led to the plot feeling a little lackluster for me. But I think fans of this series will definitely be happy with Loveboat, Forever!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! All views reflected are my own.

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I really liked the portions of the book were we got history of Taipei and it’s culture, but honestly I could have done without the whole love triangle angle. It made me so frustrated every time it came up that just wanted to stop reading. I liked that Pearl finally decided to stand up for herself with her manger Julie. I honestly don’t know if I would ever read another book by this author.

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I loved the growth Pearl showed as the book progressed. Ever's little sister, poor girl, was trolled on social media for wearing a hat and being Asian, forcing her to lay low. This opened up her summer to participate in Loveboat in Taipei, like Ever!
I worried she'd go crazy like her sister out there but....Ever's past actually made it easier for Pearl to go after her dreams with her parents support. What pearl gained in Taipei was much more than late night drunkenness and sex. She discovered her family, cultural music, and freedom.
I loved that she learned new things, embraced her culture and began to stand up for herself, even against those that were supposedly on her side!
Few things I didn't like were the fact that Ever was being a fool about Rick and wanted to "see other people". Does she not know how hard it is to find a man that will remain loyal, especially in a long distance relationship?! Ugh. And her sister's choices....I'm just tired of the overplayed "good boy is secretly rotten inside" and "brooding bad boy is actually a softy", so overdone. No, good boys actually make good boysfriends and brooding/rude guys most times are just that, brooding and rude and we over romantize that.
That being being said, brooding Kai, actually did have good character development. After he got over trying to make Pearl change who she is and what she believes, he got better. His challenges did make Pearl think but I'm glad it didnt change her, just made her think deeper. And she made him better too and more open minded. I think this was the best Loveboat book yet! ❤
It was so great how the kids used their talents and connections to do GOOD! Great ending 👍

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Loveboat Forever, the thrilling conclusion to the Loveboat, Taipei trilogy by Abigail Hing Wen, delivers an enchanting and captivating story that perfectly complements the previous two books. Seventeen-year-old music prodigy Pearl Wong finds herself in need of a fresh start after a fall from grace threatens her dreams of proving herself in the classical music world.

Her decision to attend Chien Tan, the Taipei summer program that once transformed her sister, Ever, leads her to the well-kept secret extravaganza known as Loveboat. As Pearl navigates the scandalous parties, romantic entanglements, and unexpected adventures at Loveboat, she discovers more about herself than she ever imagined.

Loveboat Forever is a delightful and magical read, keeping the romance and excitement alive from the previous books. Pearl's journey of self-discovery and acceptance is relatable and inspiring, making it a perfect read for readers trying to find their place and identity. Each character gets their moment to shine, and it is heartwarming to witness their growth and development over the years.

Pearl's exploration of her cultural roots is a wonderful addition to the story, showcasing the importance of embracing one's heritage and identity. The contrasts in the Loveboat experiences between Pearl and Ever create a compelling dynamic and further highlight the uniqueness of each character's journey.

The return to the Loveboat world is whimsical and nostalgic, and the evolution of the Loveboat experience compared to Ever's story adds depth to the setting and storyline.

In conclusion, Loveboat Forever is a brilliant and satisfying conclusion to the Loveboat, Taipei trilogy. Abigail Hing Wen's masterful storytelling, captivating characters, and exploration of identity and self-discovery make this a must-read for fans of the series and those looking for an engaging and heartwarming tale. The trilogy as a whole leaves a lasting impression and is a wonderful addition to the young adult genre.

4.7 rounded up to 5/5

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𝘈 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥? Count me in.

𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 follows Ever's sister Pearl who's now 17 and grown up. With a brush from the bad side of media, she's escaped to Taipei for the summer to embrace her asian ethnicity as well as what it means to live freely.

- ~ -

Pearl Wong is a pianist, a great one at that. When the internet cancels her for embracing her own ethnicity, she's run off to Loveboat, Taipei to lay low. But little do they know the Loveboat's true reputation. With masquerades in the dark and kisses unknown, she's let her inhibitions run wild all for a summer ride of her own.

Little Pearl's all grown up <3
She's definitely not her sister, she's got her own path to make. She's bolder and takes in stride everything that goes on.

I loved her relationship with her friends and Kai and Ethan. Especially, how this time around there wasn't any toxicity just plain mistakes and some growing up to do.
(As for the love side of things, I'll let you read it yourself for the best results!)

Loveboat, though, has definitely mellowed down a lot. If we compare Pearl's experience with her sister's, it might as well be just a wild American high school night but it brought forth an interesting dynamic, different than Ever's.
All in all, either side of Loveboat had served each sister well.

I love how the author brought justice to Pearl's character and her story. After Sophie and Xavier's read I was unsure if I'd like any of her work again but no she did good for Pearl.

- ~ -

4.12 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

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Loveboat has become one of my favorite series and this was the perfect additions and endings to this story. Abigail Hing Wen has become one of my favorite writers

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I never thought this would be a trilogy, but it is such a perfect addition to the other two books. Every ending has a new beginning, and this is exactly how I felt about this book. All the characters that we loved from the very beginning has their moments to shine, and I left this book feeling happy and giddy because I knew that even if I wouldn't be part of the next chapter of their lives, I know they'll keep growing into the perfectly imperfect people they are. 💖

Loveboat Forever follows Ever's little sister Pearl. The music prodigy and Girl Wonder in this era of Loveboat. This summer, Pearl was supposed to go to Apollo Summer Youth Symphony. It was the dream for her and her dad, and it would be her breakthrough into the music industry. However, a Tiktok scandal ensues after she posts pictures of herself in a straw hat at her piano, and Apollo rescinds their offer. All Pearl can do right now is lay low and wait for the fall to reapply and make her comeback in music. What better way to lay low than to travel across the ocean and join Chien Tan's summer cultural immersion program?

At Loveboat, Pearl discovers her cultural roots and becomes braver with her identity as a musician. We encounter many beloved characters and new characters that you will surely love too. Pearl gets stuck in her own love triangle (or quadrangle?🧐), has secret piano playing sessions, learns a new instrument, and finds a connection to a history that she never knew she had. Loveboat Forever is a whimsical return to the summer of love and new beginnings.

I love how this book, just like every book in this series, has themes that resonate with me. It's perfect for young and old readers who are just trying to find their place and identity in this world. After finishing each book, you will just feel whole and complete. 💗

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for sending me an e-copy of this book for an honest review!

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This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the characters and the journey they went on. There were heart pounding moments and I loved the plotline. I will be recommending this book to all of my family and friends.

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