This was such an amazing book that surprised me!! It had awesome characters and plot points and some great diversity: Chinese main and side characters, Vietnamese side characters, Biracial Japanese/white love interest. It also had some things that need to be addressed in books more often: sexism, hypocritical feminism (not actually feminism), immigrant parents, and a lot more. I really enjoyed reading from the main characters pov, she was blunt and straight to the point knew what she wanted. She also didn’t care what anyone else thought about her and she was just an interesting character to read from. I also really liked all of the other characters and alllll of the characters development (there was a lot)!! Overall I have 0 complaints about this book and definetly going to preorder it right away haha. So if you want a feminist book with some awesome characters definitely definitely read this!!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! I’d been hearing some great things about this book and it was definitely right up my alley. This book not only has great characters, but it will also definitely make you think!

At the beginning, Eliza isn’t the most likeable character. However, this makes sense for her character arc. She doesn’t think she really needs to be liked by her fellow students in order to get where she wants to go. A lot of the book is her realizing that maybe letting people in is okay, and I loved the way her character was written. Everything about her journey felt so natural and worked well as a teenage character.

The secondary characters are just as fleshed out as Eliza. And they also bring some important points to the discussion of what we think of as feminism. Yes, this book takes place in a high school, but so much about what Eliza and her friends talk about regarding gender equality apply in a lot of different aspects of life. It really makes you think about your own version of feminism and whether it really includes gender equality of all kinds.

Eliza and Len also get to talk a lot about what it means to be Asian in America, and even though they both had different experiences, they find a lot of common ground. I think this is why their relationship feels natural in the book and they have such great chemistry.

The main reason this isn’t getting five stars is because I did think the pacing was a bit off in places. But overall, this was an enjoyable read and it will definitely prompt some good discussion!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a delight. I really enjoyed the family dynamics that were portrayed in the story—Eliza and her sister, Eliza and her mother, the relationship briefly but effectively touched on between her parents—and also the friendships between Eliza and her friends.

I really appreciated the author’s viewpoint on feminism and recognizing the humanity in others. The romance was definitely not the main story thread, but it worked so well. I never had the sense that their relationship was rushed, everything flowed very naturally. This is a wonderful, lighthearted read, and I absolutely recommend it.

minor spoilers

alright I did not enjoy this at all. the feminist movement felt very preachy and surface level. none of it went beyond “girls can do anything” “slut shaming is bad!” the characters did not redeem this story and the romance was very lackluster.

ELIZA
eliza is our main character she’s a mixture of I’m-not-like-other-girls and a femininst which is arguably the worst combination. at one point she describes herself as a girlboss. yeah. I couldnt take her seriously as a feminist after that. she also wears sweaters all the time which pisses me off like wtf do you mean you wore a sweater to a party???? she deserved the bullying she got for wearing that nasty sweater. nothing I cant stand more than a bitch who thinks shes better than all of us because she doesnt care about her appearance. I really did not like her which is okay since she’s not here to be liked (haha get it) in all seriousness though the way she interacted with the more feminine and girly characters in the story was so icky. her sister kim cares about her appearance she has this weird beef with her that doesnt get resolved and idk its just weird honestly and eliza doesnt seem to respect her until she realizes kim is studying. and with serena the popular girly girl she often questions whether shes truly a feminist or not. honestly for a book about feminism she did not have great relationships with other women, winona her best friend is an exception though. she had weird tension with her mom and sister didnt really see serena as a friend.

LEN
I really dont have much to say about him other than the fact that hes boring. he was not a well fleshed out character at all. I’m not DYING for him to have his own chapters but I think if we had his POV we could’ve had a better more fleshed out character plus we wouldn’t have to read elizas inner monologue as much.

I think thats all I have to say about this for now I might edit it later and add some stuff but for now this is it. I feel bad for giving this such a low rating since it is a debut but I did not enjoy this! hopefully the authors next book will be something I enjoy.

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review**

This enjoyable and nuanced story follows Eliza, an ambitious high school journalist who's a shoo-in for editor-in-chief until a newcomer (and an ex-baseball player at that) swoops in and steals the position, thanks to his "likability" and "leadership potential." A feminist tale that adroitly addresses male privilege while also unpacking what happens when high school feelings seem to come in conflict with developing principles.

This is a really fun enemies to lovers story. This book also does a really good job tackling feminism and how boys are held at different standards then girls are. It may be really eye opening for many. This book features a diverse cast and we have an Asian main character. The love interest is a sweetheart and I enjoyed Elizas character development as the story went on. Also the cover is gorgeous!

I was given the opportunity by Netgalley to read an advanced copy of, Not Here to be Liked by Michelle Quach
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I loved this book! Right off the bat, the vibes were immaculate! We get school, school newspaper, exploring feminism, friendships, romance, and some competition. Everything worked so well together, and the story was great. There was never a moment where I wished something was different. The story progressed perfectly, utilizing all those things mentioned earlier.
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I really liked how this book approached feminism. At first glance, it might look like it shoved it down your throat, but in reality, it follows the journey of a girl trying to figure out what being a feminist means. Eliza makes mistakes, she plans a walkout, and she really thinks about the meanings of things. She has conversations with girls and guys, she experiences slut-shaming, and she has deep cultural conversations with her mom. Throughout all of this, her view on feminism unfolds. You quite literally get to see it start as a bud and take shape. Another great thing is that Eliza’s, and the school’s, journey with feminism wasn’t perfect. The author lets them get things wrong and learn. Also, Eliza is a strong character, but some things still hurt her. She isn’t some super cool calloused girl, and she isn’t overly sensitive. She is herself, and she waxes and wanes as any real person would.
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Another topic, the romance! The romance was so cute! I highlighted so many cute lines and moments in this book. This book gave me literal butterflies. Can Len be my boyfriend? But again the way the author broached it, really made it real. Mistakes, cute moments, real conversations, and flirting. The perfect mix. The romance did a great job of adding to the story.
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This book was very easy to read, had short chapters, and it didn’t drag on. I was able to read it pretty quickly, and enjoy it at the same time. The characters were all really developed. The side characters had lives, interests, and a few even had their own redemption arcs. I truly felt transported into this story. Go read it now!

i need this book to release right now. it was so cute and i finished it in one sitting. highly recommend

WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK! As a self-proclaimed girlboos and feminist, I knew I'd love this book. But, as a cynical twenty something woman who's read a lot of YA and often find the characters annoying (even if I KNOW they are teenagers and don't have it all figured out and are reacting like teenagers would) i LOVED the main character, Eliza.

I have to say, I am team Eliza from now on. And I cannot wait to read more books by Michelle Quach in the future.

This, friends, was one of the BEST YA contemporaries I have ever read. Great characters, interesting family dynamic, amazing second characters, super cute love interests, amazing friendships, and feminism. I mean, what more could you want?

I'm giving this a 4.5 stars and I cannot wait until more people read it!

This was a really humorous, thoughtful book, which leans hard into feminist activism. I really enjoyed Eliza's rough-around-the-edges character and it was interesting seeing her grown to become a more socially aware, thoughtful person. The characters in this book are all really interesting and make a strong, realistic group. The romance is sweet and fun, and I like the added drama of the "hidden romance' trope of it. Quach's writing is good, and the dialogue comes across as realistic. The characters are all relatable and well-developed. The story is well paced, pulling you along with moments of introspection interspersed with exciting events that make you want to keep reading. I particularly enjoyed the discussions of feminism and the characters' growth in their knowledge of and discussions about feminism. It's also nice to see some male involvement in the feminist movement within this book. I will definitely recommend this book to teens looking for a diverse cast and contemporary fiction.

Wow. This was such a joy to read and definitely one of my 2021 favorites. Not Here to Be Liked is a fresh approach to young adult activism that makes me feel as if I'm back in my feminist 101 class in college. The narrative behind feminism and activism is digestible, not convoluted or academic-y, and presents a multifaceted perspective to how feminism is--and isn't. I especially loved Eliza's personality and how she didn't give two hoots about what people thought of her, but also recognizing that sometimes she can be wrong too. The characters were developed throughout the book, letting the readers to see Eliza's imperfections as she grapples with her decisions and how that may affect the people around her. Additionally, Not Here to Be Liked is more than a romcom. It's about the Asian American identity, the refugee story, and the need that POCs feel to carve space out for themselves. Overall, this was such a good book!

Really enjoyed this debut by Michelle Quach. I love to see a confident YA heroine, even to her own detriment at times. I also loved the specificity of the family experience and how the enemies-to-lovers plot line developed. I liked how the lines were blurred between whether it was sexism or if the main character really deserved her desired role as editor.

Michelle Quach: I heart you! I am officially in love with this book, and will read anything you write!

I love that this book fought back against the "unlikable female character" idea and let us get to know a strong, smart, and unwavering MC, and see her grow and learn without losing that strength. And okay. I am in love with Len. The trope where the love interest notices the small details about the person they care about >>>>>>> GIVE ME ALL OF THAT PLEASE!! The romance was *chef's kiss*.

I love the discussion about feminism and race, and thought it handled some nuances of those topics well. I thought this was a really beautifully-written, important, and thoroughly enjoyable read!

A big thanks to Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. NOT HERE TO BE LIKED is out September 14th!

This book kept me up at 4 in the morning because I couldn't stop reading! Eliza was such a great protagonist and I just loved all her friends and the complex relationships she had with them. While a lot of the events that happened and the things people said in this book frustrated me, there were so many moments of just pure joy and fun. The characters' banter kept me laughing throughout and I was literally smiling like an idiot when I finished reading because of how cute the ending was!

Normally I'm very picky about an enemies to lovers romance because they can turn out pretty bad or unhealthy of a relationship but this one was just too cute that I found myself smiling every time the two main characters were together.

I know some people will say that Eliza is unlikeable but I really don't see it at all. She speaks her mind and makes sure she's heard and I love her so much for it.

I. Love. This. Book. I wish I had it when I was growing up. Michelle writes about being Chinese Vietnamese in such a knowing way. I recognize the main character's family SO MUCH. Also, I applaud this strong female lead who does not back down. She is going to take down the patriarchy! She is not apologetic. And her lovematch is smart as well. They two of them are really well suited to each other even as they fight and drive each other nuts. I haven't read a YA romance with has any underlineable phrases as this one has, and with Asian American characters as realistic as these are.

Eliza is sure to be elected as the editor in chief of the school newspaper for senior year - she’s the only one running, plus her experience and dedication to the paper go back to freshmen year. She’s only a little worried when Len, recently added to the staff, decides to run against her at the last minute. Eliza’s election speech is full of her qualifications while Len’s self-deprecating, seemingly off the cuff talk makes the staff think he would be more fun to work with and he wins.

Eliza is furious and she pours out her feelings of betrayal in an essay no one else is meant to see, noting the small percentage of girls who have ever been elected editor and wondering why experience didn’t seem to matter. Someone finds the essay on the newspaper’s drive and publishes it, sparking a series of events that thrusts Eliza into the position of feminist spokesperson. The employment and relationship struggles of Eliza’s Chinese-Vietnamese family are an interesting backdrop to Eliza’s questions about the role of women in family and society. Friends Serena and Winona provide contrasting experiences based on race and class that help Eliza process her complicated feelings of attraction to Len. This is the kind of book that teens will love to talk about.

Eliza Quan is a shoo-in for Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper. She's the one most qualified for the job and the only candidate even if she has been described as off-putting. However, at the last minute, the charming former baseball player, Len DiMartile throws his hat in the ring, and lo and behold this well-liked man wins the position he definitely wasn't as qualified for. This spurns Eliza into starting a feminist movement at her school.

Okay so, I loved this book! Sure it's set in high school, but if this isn't something women everywhere have been facing forever, I don't know what is. Women are expected to be pretty and kind and welcoming, and if we're not these things then we can forget about any aspirations we have. I love the way that everything in this story played out. Moreover, Quach has amazing voice which really brought Eliza to life. She's not here to be liked, but I really did end up liking her. In fact, almost all the characters in this book are amazing and not at all stereotypical which can sometimes be the case in YA books. I found myself cheering for everyone, and hoping all the characters got what they wanted if not out of life at least in high school. I can't recommend this enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I can already say, this definitely is one of my favorite reads this year. Highly recommended!

a solid 4 star book! i think it’s a little hard to be completely in love with a young adult book as an adult but i found myself really appreciating this story. i loved the realness of eliza’s culture and family life and the troubles of being young and understanding the complexities of big topics that are pounded into society like sexism and misogyny.

it struck quite a chord with me bringing me back to moments of my life and realizing how far i’ve come in understanding what it means to be a feminist and also how to deal with blatant sexism or misogyny with people we’re close to like family members or friends.

i was actually quite worried that this would fall under some incredible white woman feminist type book but it didn’t. i had to put it in the perspective of a 16/17 year old and realized it wasn’t TOO white in its story and was a great place to start in unpacking what we think feminism is because we’ve been fed to believe it is just women acting out.

the book was also filled with many diverse characters and i really appreciated that from the author. i also appreciated that love didn’t also just save everything in this book. sometimes authors have a way of ending books like love saved the day but the way this played out, it was a great alternative to what i was afraid of and especially in a young adult setting. an all around solid debut for michelle quach! i’m excited to see what she writes in the future!

Not Here to be Liked features Eliza who has been working for years to be the editor and chief of her school’s newspaper. However, less qualified and less motivated ex jock, Len DeMartile is chosen for the position. Eliza is struck between her own feminist morals and her heart’s desires. Quach has taken every thought from my head and put it on paper. Perfectly combining the inner conflict every young woman faces of wanting to make a difference and wanting to have a “normal life”. Overall, everything about this book made me want to jump up and down or cry and I loved that. I related to Eliza in a way that I didn’t know was possible.

Rating:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Character development: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5

4 stars

Get ready to meet one of the youngest curmudgeons you have ever discovered in this genre: Eliza, the m.c. of this charming YA novel!

Eliza has a serious approach to many parts of her regulated high school experience, but her immaturity shows through in her lack of self-awareness. This combination makes for complicated circumstances and intriguing character development. Eliza's opportunities for growth begin right at the start when she runs for a leadership role on the school newspaper. The outcome of that election opens the door for Eliza's "manifesto" (it's not that intense) on the misogynistic failings of her high school. Her initial rival, Len, is more popular, kinder, and significantly more laid back than Eliza, and it is apparent immediately that these two are headed straight for the enemies to lovers trope (or a more PG-13 version of that at least).

While the fulfillment of the trope is not particularly surprising, Quach adds layers of interest in Eliza's socioeconomic status and related concerns, her challenging relationships with her mother and sister, and her identities as a woman and as an Asian American teen in Southern California. Eliza has such static viewpoints initially, and it is a relief to watch her explore and evolve over time.

There is so much to like about this novel, and it hits all of the coming-of-age aspects that one hopes for in this genre. I was so interested in Eliza's relationships with her family members, and while those are explored at times - as are those of Len and even the Boba Bros - I'd have loved to go much more in to all of these connections. Quach starts to move readers into a more complex character study but pulls us back for a more traditional romance at the end. This choice is not necessarily unsatisfying, but after seeing the possibilities with some of these other characters, I finished the novel wanting more from those other relationships.

Overall, I really enjoyed Eliza, Len, and their general plot, and I will absolutely be back for whatever Quach produces in the future. I'll also be recommending this one to students for the long haul!