Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the published for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Enjoyed this book, although not as much as the first. The characters were consistent with the original, with some new additions. I can see why this novel was picked up to represent the Asian American experience on film. Hopefully the release will be as good as the book

I enjoyed this deeper look into two characters from the first book, especially since they were characters that didn't come off that well in book in. I also appreciated that this wasn't a redemption story but a look into how these characters came to be the way they are and how they're trying to be better. But not to be better to make up for things in the past, but just to be better for themselves going forward.
Some of the plot was predictable and felt slow, and other parts felt like they didn't really mesh. But the ending was satisfying.

This is a geat sequel to the original book! I really enjoyed the first so I was anxious to get my hands on the sequel. This is the perfect YA summer read!

Honestly, I'm not sure why I requested this. I didn't really like Loveboat, Taipei but perhaps I thought this being Xavier's story I'd like it more? Who knows my reasoning, but I ended up enjoying Reunion about as much as the first, which is to say not a lot.

I did not like Sophie in the first book and I continued to not like her in this book. Her actions against Ever in Loveboat, Taipei were absolutely disgusting (no spoilers but iykyk) and I do not believe they would become friends that easily after that. Also the fact that those actions are hardly addressed, if at all, yet we're supposed to sympathize with her in this book and root for her redemption? She continued to be an inconsiderate social climber and I do not believe in her redemption.

Xavier on the other hand, is the best part about this book and he deserved better than being stuck with Sophie.

Loved seeing growth for these characters. Loved seeing them fall in love while they were away from each other. Loved seeing them in America. And of course loved seeing the couple from the first book and how they're progressing (could have seen more of that, honestly).

Abigail Hing Wen strikes again! A fantastic follow-up to Loveboat, Taipei while also functioning as a unique and independent story with separate character arcs.

Crazy Rich Asians for teens. You don't have to have read the first book in this series, Loveboat, Taipei, to understand what's going on in this installment, but it helps because you will already know these characters. This book redeems the character Sophie, who was a high drama sidekick in the first book. It also helps explain Xavier as well, who was a sort of competing love interest in the first book. What I like most about this book is that it celebrates Asian people and culture. You get to see Taipei, and get hungry as the book talks about mooncakes and boba. Of course, it's for a jet set and higher class, but it's a fun ride as the kids party and help each other out on their adventures. Sophie is also a smart character, and you learn an impressive amount about AI through her. And the portrayal of Xavier's artistic side as well as his dyslexia is compassionate, and helps the reader really get on his side against his father, who has high expectations for him.

All and all, Hing Wen manages to accomplish a lot in this book. It's easy to get wrapped up in the setting and characters. It's like you get to take a getaway weekend with them in Taipei, and what's not fun about that?

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book.

I didn't love this book as much as I did the first one. Sophie and Xavier were not my favorite characters from the original story, and they didn't grow on me throughout this second book.

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!

3.5. I kind of missed the cultural elements and over-the-top drama of the first book, but it was nice to see some of the characters mature and find themselves--the ending was fairly satisfying. I think a lot of YA readers will relate to this too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This second installment of the Loveboat, Taipei series focuses on two side characters from the first book. They come across strong in this second book, worthy of their own storylines. I think I missed having a wider lives or cast of characters as this one is very heavily centered on Sophie and Xavier. Their story lines are compelling and I think many teens will relate. I enjoyed this one slightly less overall, but it may be that I was just more connected to Ever and Rick in the first series. I think many high schoolers will find this book to be as enjoyable and relatable as the first. The main reason I was interested in the book was the culture and representation of the characters and the book does not disappoint in that regard. I still found myself Googling landmarks and holidays that were central to the story. For that alone, it was probably worth the read.

Loveboat, Taipei completed Ever’s story, but the novel saw her surrounded by several secondary characters, including Sophie and Xavier. Loveboat Reunion tells the story of Sophie and Xavier as they navigate college at Dartmouth and a return to high school and the Yeh family business, respectively.

After discovering that Loveboat Reunion would be Sophie’s and Xavier’s stories, I was skeptical that I would enjoy the journey. Following Ever in the first novel, Sophie and Xavier were crucial to her self-growth but they were also very insecure individuals who combined into a toxic pairing. Additionally, Sophie was pretty nasty to Ever, though there was eventual forgiveness, and I wasn’t sure whether an arc could be written that would redeem her character. When I finished Loveboat Reunion, I was not only pleased that I had taken the chance on the novel, but I was thrilled to discover how wrong I was.

Abigail Hing Wen has written a compelling novel that allowed me to find new qualities in Sophie and Xavier that were admirable. While dual points of view can sometimes be distracting, this aspect helped this installment succeed. After the events at Loveboat, Sophie has discovered much about herself and finds that she’s not particularly proud of her actions. Deciding to take a different tack, she plunges into her time at Dartmouth, determined to swear off boys, get a campus job, and find a way into one of the most coveted classes taught by a rockstar professor. Through these actions, Sophie discovers much about herself and moves away from her family’s influence and their desire for her to earn an MRS degree. This growth proved crucial since it also occurred away from many of the characters in the first novel.

Meanwhile, Xavier grapples with the withholding of his trust fund and his father tossing him into a high school in Los Angeles, stating that he must earn a degree before he will receive the money. Additionally, the patriarch of the Yeh family is determined to ensure his legacy so that Xavier is not a stain on the Dragon Leaf company and the Yeh family. At first Xavier is much the same as in the first novel: reluctant to let anyone beyond his walls and often childish and petulant due to his circumstances. However, as Xavier begins to engage with others, including some of his family members, he learns that he sees the world differently, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

By the time Sophie and Xavier collide on a plane trip back to Taipei for their school projects and a Loveboat reunion, they have evolved into fully fledged individuals on their own. Though there is more for them to discover, they are much more confident in themselves and have developed a genuine friendship, allowing them to provide mutual support and encouragement even from different coasts of the United States. Not surprisingly as the novel moves toward its conclusion, the two discover that they still have feelings for each other; however, by this point, they have seen so much more of the worlds they inhabit and the true selves that lie behind the barriers they erect. As a reader, I didn’t want them together in the first novel. In Loveboat Reunion, I was cheering for them to continue forming their friendship and romantic connection and found myself embracing them as they moved toward a new relationship on equal footing.

I’ve waxed on about Sophie and Xavier as individuals and a pair, but there is much more to appreciate in Loveboat Reunion. Sophie tackles creating an empire by heading in the direction of computer science and AI, leading her to the Yeh’s company, Dragon Leaf, and technology that they house. And to help Sophie with her project, Xavier has to tackle the unruly dynamic of his family and the Dragon Leaf company that he has tried to distance himself from. To assist, there are several new characters introduced, including Professor Horvath, Victor, Emma, Lulu, and an abundance of members from the Yeh family. These additions occur organically and thus only a few lack extended development. There are also some old favorites to appreciate, including Ever, Rick, and Aunty Claire and Uncle Ted.

Overall, I thought Loveboat Reunion was a great success and, in this reader’s humble opinion, may even surpass the original installment. The intertwining of Sophie’s and Xavier’s stories was created with great attention to detail. The ability to tell two stories at once also provided a great deal of depth that I wasn’t expecting. Though some of the events are somewhat implausible, I highly recommend both Loveboat, Taipei and Loveboat Reunion as fast enjoyable young adult reads.

I loved this follow up from Loveboat, Taipei. This story followed Sophie and Xavier as they try to nagyagite the world after Taipei.

"This companion novel to Abigail Hing Wen’s New York Times bestselling debut, Loveboat, Taipei, takes readers back to Taipei through the eyes of fan favorites 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.

Sophie Ha and Xavier Yeh have what some would call a tumultuous past.

Hearts were broken, revenge was plotted - but at least they’re friends now. They left the drama behind them back in Taipei - at their summer program, Loveboat - forever.

Now that fall is here, they’re focusing on what really matters. Sophie has sworn off boys and is determined to be the best student Dartmouth’s ever had. Xavier 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.

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, hatching a joint plan to take control of their futures. Can they succeed together...or are they destined to combust?"

After all the murder and science I've recommended this week, how about some YA fun? We could all us the diversion.

I wanted to love Loveboat Reunion considering I highly enjoyed Loveboat, Taipei. However, I just couldn't connect with the storylines and/or the characters.

Some plot lines and characters felt unnecessary, while there were other instances where I wish the author had focused more attention and pages to specific characters and plot lines.

It's a good one, but it's not my type of book. I was expecting to like because I liked the synopsis but it didn't affect me.

I did enjoy this book more than the first but it still wasn't the kind of story I couldn't put down and come back to reading at a later time. I think the story line was good, the pacing was a little off for me. Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars

This was another winner for me, although it took a bit longer for it to get there for me, particularly because I didn't like Sophie much at all in the first book, and while I felt bad for Xavier by the end of the book, I felt like Evers and Rick belonged together. But Abigail Hing Wen can write, and she kept my interest in the alternating POV between Sophie and Xavier until I started to really care about each of them, for different reasons. Even when they both screwed up again on their trip to Taipei and yes, I cringed, I was hopeful that they would eventually figure it out. What I loved is that although each of them was able to help the other see more clearly (from an outside standpoint), their ultimate success depended on others as well, including many in the supporting cast who I ended up loving, especially Xavier's aunties. Without revealing any spoilers, by the time I got to the end, I wished there was a movie so that I could see what Xavier could see.

This was definitely YA and there were some of the usual tropes included. I also felt several times like I was on the set of Crazy Rich Asians, especially when they attended Xavier's grandfather's 88th birthday, but also when they took Xavier's plane to Taipei and things got a little bit out of control. But the author can really write a good story and I ended up loving where she took the story. I also liked how she handled Xavier's learning disability and how she made it his strength, even though he couldn't see it initially. Working with students over the years, I've seen how a misunderstanding of a learning disability can completely derail a student, and not just in the academic department. And although she never talked about a disability for Sophie, she did talk a lot about Sophie the tornado and her different approach to life and, like Xavier, she had to learn how to turn it into a strength rather than wallowing in its weaknesses. But she also had to find the strength and confidence in herself.

So I ended up loving this series not just because this took place in Taiwan and I am Taiwanese, but also because of the learning disability aspect, and Sophie's different way of approaching life. If you enjoyed the first one, don't expect the same story, especially because Sophie and Xavier are very different from Evers and Rick. But I would recommend you keep an open mind because I felt like it ended up being just as good as the first one, just different.

I received an advance review copy from Netgalley for free (yay!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.