It was an interesting enough concept but I just couldn't seem to get into it enough to finish. Possibly I might pick this up at a later date to try again.

This was a fast read about a girl, who is trying to make her way in the academic world. Where her Chinese parents are trying hard to provide for her, she uses her abilities to help them, but things get complicated when her business and business partner/frenemy. Readers will fly through this book and wish it was longer.

If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang follows elite international boarding school student Alice Sun. She’s always felt invisible at school, especially since she is the only scholarship student. Alice’s parents break the news to her that they can no longer afford to pay for her to attend that school. One day, Alice actually starts to turn invisible. She decides to take this opportunity to monetize on her newfound power by discovering secrets. She does this with the help of her academic rival Henry Li. Things quickly escalate when discovering scandals turns to discovering actual crimes. All this goes down as Alice develops growing feelings for her rival.

This book is an utterly unique mix of contemporary fiction and urban fantasy elements. I liked how this book tackled classism, as since Alice was the only student on scholarship, she was treated differently than the others. I liked how Alice and Henry grew close because of this strange situation Alice was facing with invisibility. I think it’s awesome how she decided to monetize it!

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Inkyard Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alice Sun is a scholarship student at an elite international boarding school in Beijing and despite being one of the top students, has always felt overlooked amongst the wealthy students. One day, she suddenly starts turning invisible, and uncontrollably at that. When her parents tell her they can no longer afford the fees for her private school, Alice sees an opportunity to use her new power to earn some extra money and pay her tuition. It starts off with little things at first, school gossip and scandals that she uncovers anonymously but when the requests on the anonymous app she has set up take a step up to unethical jobs and outright crimes, Alice must decide if this scheme is worth it.

YA contemporary is not a genre I typically pick up, but the synopsis hinted at a rather interesting mix of genres in this one which is why I decided to read it even though magical realism hasn’t worked very well for me in the past. I liked how the main plot started right from page one without too much dallying and the base of the story was neatly established within the first couple of chapters, while introducing the main character and her situation making it clear how high the stakes are for her. This was a fast paced and easy read and I finished it in a single sitting.

Alice was a great protagonist, smart and likeable, and she was very easy to root for and relate to. Alice’s new power of invisibility is not just a superpower but also a metaphor for how she feels, unseen by many of the rich and privileged students at her fancy private school who have no idea how people like her live and struggle in poverty. What I liked best about this book however, was the number of themes and strong messages like classism, poverty and racism that the author managed to integrate into it without losing the relatively lighthearted tone of the story. The romance subplot was kind of an undertone to the story, but unlike other books where this is the case, this actually made the story more likeable and I enjoyed it a lot more because of it.

It would have been nice to find out where Alice’s power came from but to be honest, I wasn’t really expecting that to be delved into. Either way, that aspect was left on a very vague note which made the book feel kind of incomplete. It was barely brought up in the last couple of chapters and there was no information on what happens, if she lost the ability, or learned to control it for example. Once Alice’s actions, to some extent anyway, are revealed, there was a startling lack of consequences for everything she did which didn’t really sit right after everything she did. I also found the mood of the book to be a little disappointing – from the looks of the premise I expected it to be more thrilling.

For a debut novel, this was quite good, if not as deep as I expected it to be given the themes and I liked the writing style as well. Overall, this was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it!

If I wasn't already obsessed with the premise and cover of the book, I've become a die hard fan after reading the book. If You Could See the Sun is written as a mix of most of my favourite aspects- thriller, boarding school setting, girl monetizing her powers, social commentaries and the ultimate favourite, academic rivals to lovers.

Alice Sun is an excellently written protagonist, one whose motives and situations feel real enough and make you root for her instantly. I mean, making money off her strange invisibility powers sounds badass enough. But I loved to get to know the ambitious yet compassionate side to her. It's commendable how the different themes are subtly woven through the story as well as how the classism is portrayed through her POV.

Also can we talk about Henry? Her supposed rival? I just loved their dynamic so so much. Their arguments were so entertaining and seeing their relationship reluctantly blossom was a whole experience. Chanel too, is a great supporting character for Alice!

Cherry on top would be vividly visualised Beijing setting and how Liang managed to capture the struggles of Asian Americans in an academic setting so well.

A very good book on the Chinese experience in Beijing elite schools and just all out amazing! I loved it

This book had more in store than a little invisibility power. Readers learn to not judge others by what you can see on the outside, everyone has something going on internally. A+

This book caught my attention for its premise and I was quickly swept up in Alice's world. The high stakes of being a scholarship student in a prestigious private academy with grades alongside personal and academic ethics was explored so well through her story arc. I only wish this was longer as there were scenes that felt rushed or in place to speed the plot up - the book itself is so much shorter than I expected. However, Alice and Henry have joined the ranks of my favorite couple and I need more of them!!

Alice is an intelligent, driven young woman attending Airington, an elite, and very expensive, private school in Beijing. Students at Airington come from some of the most powerful, influential, and affluent families. Alice, on the other hand, doesn’t come from a wealthy family; in fact, her family can no longer afford the yearly tuition, even with Alice’s scholarship. To make matters worse, Alice, who always felt a little invisible at Airington, begins to actually turn invisible. Soon Alice sees her new ability as a financial opportunity–anonymously uncovering secrets and creating new ones–but one request for her services will make her question just how far she is willing to go and how much of herself she is willing to lose in the process. 

If You Could See the Sun is a good story with, I felt, some important messages and social commentary. There is an honesty to this novel that I found very refreshing. I liked the characters; they are very well developed and likable. I especially liked Alice; she is relatable as it relates to her desire, ambition and determination, as well as her feelings and reactions to the obstacles placed in her way by society. The ending seemed rather perfect. It is one of those endings that resolves the problems yet includes real-life consequences. If You Could See the Sun is a supernatural page-turner that, with its deep messages, is really so much more.

This one is a tough one for me to rate. On one hand, it held my attention and I was into the story itself and how Alice was getting paid to commit crimes with invisibility. I think that's a great premise. On the other hand, I found parts of the book a little jumpy and it was a shock to hear that so much time has passed. I'm not exactly sure how to explain - the book reads like it happens in one week, but then there are random sentences in there that mark the passage of a much longer time period and it's a bit jarring.

And listen... I know we're dealing with invisibility. I know this book is about something that can't happen. And yet, I found the outcome or resolution of these crimes completely unbelievable. More unbelievable than someone becoming invisible. The last job she was hired for was HUGE and I'm just supposed to believe it ends like that? You had believing in invisibility this whole time so I think that part could have used a bit more beefing up.

I honestly enjoyed my time reading this one, but I don't think it'll leave any lasting impression on me.

This novel is pitched as an academic rivals to lovers YA fantasy set at an elite boarding school in Beijing with a Chinese American MC and I was completely hooked! The plot was quite unique with a touch of magical realism and thoughtful commentary on social class and privilege throughout. Alice's multicultural upbringing and Chinese diaspora experience were particularly relatable and hard-hitting for me. If you're looking for a novel that makes you tear up and feel SEEN as a Chinese diaspora young person, this was it for me!

There is teen angst, an adorable and sassy romantic interest, Henry Li, and that "oh, OH" moment that makes any reader squeal. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly to my liking but overall I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend to YA readers!

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and HCC Frenzy for sharing a digital review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really good book. Hard to put down once you got into it. Despite having a hard time connecting to the MC, this is a really addictive book.

Thanks to the publisher for an e-ARC of If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang. It was SUCH A FUN READ! It found a perfect balance between being BOTH lighthearted and action-packed. The energy in this book is endless.

If You Could See the Sun is a perfect combination of a speculative twist with a swoony, academic-rivals-to-lovers romance arc. The character motivations were fully-developed, complex, and layered, and each twist in the plot played perfectly into the protagonist's growth arc. I loved seeing her make friends and find her place in the world along the way, and the final conclusion was beautifully done. A total joy, with lots of heart and thoughtfulness to boot!

Loved this book! I liked the setting of an American school in China - I knew nothing about this culture/place. The ethical and moral dilemma of the character's actions gave a lot of depth to the novel - I sympathesized with her motives and it showed the lengths individuals will go to succeed in life. Shows that not all success is based on merit. Will recomend to many students and friends!

A girl suddenly develops the ability to turn invisible and cashes in on her fellow students' dark secrets via a mysterious app. YES PLEASE.

An elite Beijing boarding school, rich kid drama, discussions on class and race, rivals-to-lovers. This was a fun and quick read -- but the ending left me wanting. The invisibility plot was never resolved or explained.

- academic rivals to lovers
- reluctant partnership
- elite Beijing boarding school
- girl that has powers
- rich boy who is obsessed with the female MC

Check check check. An amazing debut that discusses topics such as wealth inequality while also providing a fun story, interesting characters and of course some romance. 10/10. Absolutely amazing.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
YALL GOTTA READ THIS RN I SWEAR
HENRY AND ALICE <333

I love the plot, like it’s so unique, I don’t know what else to say just read it :)))

4⭐️

Alice Sun is one of the top students in her class at Airington International Boarding School, along with her academic rival, Henry Li. They often win awards for their academic achievements, but despite being infamously known as the Study Machine by her classmates, Alice feels invisible. Not only does Alice feel invisible, but on one fateful day, she <i> becomes </i> invisible. A cold chill snakes it’s way down her spine, and one of her classmates crashes right into her as if she weren’t there at all. Panicked, Alice runs to the only person she can think might be able to help her: her nemesis, Henry.

The two become close as they put their heads together to come up with a solution. Alice ultimately decides to embrace her new-found ability and use it to her advantage. She and Henry create an app called Beijing Ghost where Airington students can make anonymous requests for the Beijing Ghost to complete, including spying, deleting photos off people’s phones without their knowledge, and more. In return, Alice gets money to help her parents pay for her education. Unlike the other Airington students, Alice is on a partial scholarship and even still, her parents are considering sending her elsewhere because they will not longer be able to afford the tuition. When Alice receives a request to kidnap another student for one million RMB, she desperately accepts.

Alice’s character development is really great in this. At first, I found her a little annoying because of how arrogant she can be, and how she seems to think she’s so invisible but also doesn’t try to befriend those around her. Her family’s financial struggles and her desire to be the best certainly go hand in hand, and it is sad that someone so young has to carry such a burden. When she accepted the task to kidnap a classmate, I seriously questioned her ethics. All of her other tasks leading up to that point weren’t nearly as bad, and were more morally grey than anything. When she quickly changed her mind (albeit a little late), I was so relieved. I’m also glad that there were consequences to her actions and that she learned from them, and that she finally was able to be a kid. Also, her and Henry’s relationship is a perfect enemies to lovers trope, with a little misunderstanding on Alice’s part. Overall a great YA read!

<b> “Descartes was wrong, you know, when he said, ‘To live well, you must live unseen.’ To live well, you must learn to see yourself first.”</b>

What a wonderfully fun book, which despite being mostly a lighthearted "literary hamburger" of teen angst and romance, actually had one of the most realistic depictions of how a teen really would respond to developing magical powers. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Liang in the future.