Love Points to You by Alice Lin charmed me with its heartfelt, messy YA romance. Lynda, a driven teen artist, lands a gig designing characters for Angela’s otome game—and sparks fly pic.twitter.com/fakeurl

Lynda’s frustration over her family’s favoritism toward her stepsister hit hard; I felt that mix of ambition and resentment all too well. Working closely with Angela, their rivalry turns into a sweet, thoughtful enemies-to-lovers that unfolds naturally .

The asexual and bisexual rep is handled with care—Angela’s demisexuality and Lynda’s journey toward self-awareness felt genuine and unforced . The conflict around family dynamics and artistic dreams added real stakes beyond the romance .

It wraps up a bit abruptly, and a few plot threads could’ve used more closure , but the characters’ growth and the creative premise make it a joy to read. Perfect for a weekend binge of sweet, inclusive YA with heart.

i'm so so sad to say that i really didn't like this one :( like look at that cover??

"love points to you" is pitched as a sapphic love story between artist lynda fan and her previously kinda cold, rich classmate angela wu. lynda's life is changing, as her father is getting married to her stepmother, her dad and her are moving in with them, and now she also has a stepsister, josie. lynda is saving up for her dream of going to art school, but she knows her dad isn't exactly the most willing to help out. when she learns that her parents are paying a bunch of money for josie's violin tutor, so that she'll have a chance to go to *her* dream school though, lynda gets increasingly more upset. meanwhile, her classmate, angela, offers to pay her (way more money than any high schooler should be able to pay another) for her to draw the art / as a character designer for her otome game though, it seems like things might be looking up. and maybe they also start developing feelings for each other...

i don't quite know where to start? lynda is an annoying main character to read. she looks down on like, almost everyone. it's very frustrating to read from her pov and see how she not only thinks about other people, but also treats them. and then at the end of the book she starts being the perfect person way too quickly, and everything is resolved within, what, 2-3 chapters, probably? also, once again, angela (the li), deserved much better than lynda </3

but lynda isn't even the main problem with this book. because although it may be from her pov and the synopsis is about her, the book really focuses on josie a lot more. it was literally the only name i could remember from the book. it isn't necessarily that josie's story is boring, but it's just that the book was marketed as a cute sapphic romance between two classmates making an otome game together, and what we got instead was the story of the stepsister who feels guilty about taking up too many resources within the family and no longer wanting to pursue her old dreams, and her other struggles. i don't really understand if that was an intentional choice made by the author or if that story spoke to her more and ended up dominating the plot. but either way, i didn't really feel like i got anything near what i came here for.

i think this is unfortunately one of my biggest disappointments of the year, which is made increasingly sad by the fact that i bought a physical copy for not so cheap. overall, i just wouldn't really recommend this one at all, but i guess feel free if you're up for the main plot line not actually being a sapphic romance.

✨ ARC Review ✨
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just wrapped up this ARC and I have some thoughts! It had its moments, and there’s definitely more to unpack. Stay tuned for my full review coming soon!

Love Points to You by Alice Lin is a cute, sweet read that gave me all the nostalgic YA feels. It’s fast-paced, heartfelt, and packed with the classic coming-of-age elements—first love, self-discovery, and the awkward, wonderful chaos of growing up. The writing is light and easy to fall into, making it a great palette cleanser or weekend binge. Definitely skewed younger, so if you’re into swoony, wholesome teen romance with a touch of soul-searching, this one’s for you!

Cute lil sapphic teenage story but honestly it’s more like a contemporary YA because the romance felt like a subplot. It’s more about what it means to follow your dreams as an artist with a side of family drama. Otome games also play a big role here!

I enjoyed the writing style so much! Since we’re following the story through Lynda’s POV, her thoughts and feelings were displayed in full and it’s interesting to read. It’s witty, sarcastic, and full of teenage spirit. I think it could use an extra epilogue, tho… the ending was too rushed. But I still enjoyed it, consumed the whole thing in a day.

Love points to you is a fabulous story of how two ACE girls find each other. I loved the artistic elements and learning about otome games.

Welcome to my stop on TBR & Beyond Tours’ (@tbrbeyondtours) bookstagram and blog tour for Love Points to You by Alice Lin (@miss_alicelin)! I loved this sweet young adult contemporary romance novel, and I am excited to share my review with you!

A swoony romance between driven, practical Lynda Fan and her rich, arrogant classmate, Angela Wu. When Angela offers Lynda the chance to design characters for her otome game, Lynda discovers things she never knew about herself…or her heart.

Love Points to You was one of my earliest reads of the year, and I really loved how easy it was to pick up and dig into. I enjoyed the dynamic between Angela and Lynda, especially how they were both driven individuals with different ways of expressing their ambitions. Lynda is an intense and passionate protagonist, who commits fully to the things she cares about. This sometimes is to her own detriment, as her drive eclipses the feelings and needs of her loved ones. Lynda’s perspective on art was one of my favorite aspects of the story, especially as she began collaborating on the Otome game with Angela. These parts of the story were written in a visually rich way, helping me picture her art style with clarity.

My Recommendation:
If you love books about driven young women (think Most Likely by Sarah Watson) you should pick up a copy of Love Points to You right away! I would especially recommend this book to readers who enjoy stories about artists finding their way in the world.

Bi and a-spec rep?? Love to see it!

Lynda is very high strung - she has had to be mostly independent since her aunt moved away and her dad is a workaholic. Feeling distanced from family even more after her father and new stepmother show more favouritism towards her new stepsister, Lynda feels even more that she can only rely on herself. Her character reminded me a lot of myself - being frustrated by inequality in treatment from parents, diving into our passions as a way to escape and build something for ourselves, finding love and being afraid to rely on it, the works. I loved how the characters around her helped to temper her and give her different perspectives on everything happening to her and the effect that she has on other people. I think Lynda had a great network of family and friends to keep her grounded, even when she was high on her own drama.

I loved the relationship between Lynda and Angela. The fact that they were both bi and a-spec was an added bonus, because hi, relatable. Seeing how some people reacted to their relationship and some of the biphobic and acephobic things they had to endure when they started dating was sad but real. I liked that they were so supportive of each other during this stage, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship flourish through the story.

The art side of the book was very fun. Lynda's relationship with art showed her passion and joy in her work. The fact that she had everything figured out from the start was admirable. I liked how she grappled a bit with the fact that not everyone had their life path figured out and decided, and the empathy she develops as she listens, learns, and sometimes rampages. It was interesting to see the other side of the coin, because I know what's it's like to be on the absolutely lost side of the spectrum.

I did find that some of the conflict felt a bit contrived - I feel like communication between her and her father would've saved all of them a lot of heartache, but I did understand that they needed the time to grow and understand each other within the new family dynamic. I was still totally on Lynda's side for much of the book when it came to her family, to be honest, and I know that the main lesson was for both of us to learn.

A very cute contemporary romance with quick and snappy writing that keeps you invested in the story, Love Points to You is the perfect book if you're looking for a lighter romance with moments that will have you grinning at how sweet it is.

TW: biphobia, acephobia, parental emotional abuse; mentions death of a parent, cancer

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Delacorte Romance via Random House Children's in exchange for an honest review.

I have a lot of thoughts, and I’m going to try to unpack them without spoilers as much as possible.

First, I love that both Lynda and Angela identify as Bi and Ace (Demi, specifically for Angela). I’m starting to see more and more Ace representation and I hope that trend continues.

OK, first off, I just need to say WTF is wrong with Lynda’s parents (ok dad and step-mom)? On what planet is it ok to spend so much money on one child’s dream and not even be able to buy an new iPad for the other child (which is necessary for her dream)? Especially when it was damaged by a family member and not Lynda’s fault. Plus taking out loans from family members to cover a lavish wedding and honeymoon and allowing a family member to treat Lynda like a servant because of it. It’s wrong on so many levels.

I fully understood Lynda feeling like her dad didn’t really care about her, especially since he never talked to her about anything that was happening. And I understood her resentment towards Josie. But I’m not sure she handled things as well as she could have, and when everything comes to a head, she was extremely unlikeable in her behavior towards everyone.

Angela seemed a little cold and distant to begin with, but ultimately she was super sweet. While she wasn’t necessarily open with Lynda about all aspects of her game, she truly did have the best of intentions. And she always seemed to be looking out for her.

I liked the relationship between Angela and Lynda, as well as the friendship Lynda had with her best friend.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the story and like how things ended for all of the characters. There is a lot of hope for all of the characters and Lynda’s relationships with them.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration though NetGalley, on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A romantic, heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and creativity, this rivals-to-lovers gem between Lynda Fan and Angela Wu is as compelling as the Otome game at its center. Lynda, a fiercely practical teen with big art school dreams and limited means, finds herself reluctantly teamed up with Angela—the infuriatingly rich and arrogant classmate who seems to glide through life with ease. But when Angela hires Lynda to design characters for her Otome game, their dynamic begins to shift in unexpected, tender ways.

I loved how this story balanced ambition with emotional vulnerability. Lynda's journey is about more than just romance—it's about discovering her voice, learning to trust herself, and challenging her ideas of what love should look like. The slow-burn tension between her and Angela is pitch-perfect, giving just the right amount of angst, banter, and longing to make each moment count.

✨ Perfect for fans of:
-Rivals-to-lovers with electric chemistry
-Queer love stories where art is part of the journey
-Stories about creative girls chasing their dreams against the odds

A lovely reminder that love, like art, is about letting yourself feel—no matter how messy the lines get.

I went in expecting a light high school romance but was pleasantly surprised by how much emotional depth and nuance the story offered. The exploration of creative passion, especially through Lynda’s detailed game design work, really made her character stand out. It felt like such an authentic portrayal of someone trying to turn their dreams into something real.

This coming of age story was not what I was expecting. I thought it was just going to be your typical adorable high school romance. This story explores creative passion, self-discovery, and different family, friendship, and relationship dynamics.

I love the way the game characters are described in so much detail, showing Lynda’s passion for her chosen desired career path.  It makes the story so much more real. Another aspect I loved was when Josie took a great big step back from her passion because of the pressure. This felt very real and believable to me. I didn’t understand Lynda’s anger towards this, but I suppose this was part of Lynda’s character arc. Realizing that everyone is messy and flawed and just doing the best they know how.

I was, however, a little surprised we weren’t more mad at all of the lying that was going on… but maybe that’s just me.

This book is categorized as YA romance, but I would say it was more like a coming of age story with some romance elements.

I hate that I was so excited for this and it just disappointed me. Not only did I dislike everyone in this book, but I just thought it didn’t make any sense. And the romance couldn’t have felt less real if it tried. However I still finished it so here we are…..

OK so when I say I hated everyone in this book it’s because I did. From the dad who was oblivious, to the stepmom who seemed to be doing this on purpose, to the unsufferable main character, to the aunt who let her talk to her all mean even though she was being terrible, to the love interest who was just weird in general. And can’t forget the freaking new music teacher! Literally all of them were terrible and as a character driven reader, this annoyed the crap out of me. And yes I know there was a deeper meaning, but by the time we get there I was out of effs to give and I didn’t like them anyways.

Now the romance was also bad. Literally the only reason I still kept reading it was because it was a sapphic relationship. But the way they were together it was like no chemistry whatsoever. Every transaction was like a business deal. And it made it even more weird because that’s what it started as. It was very weird.

The other reason I kept reading was the representation. Even food wise it felt authentic and real. I remember trying to get the same food they made at home because it sounded so good. And the way Lin described the otome game was cool too. I looked it up trying to figure out what it was like, but the way she wrote it helped me never have to pull out my phone.

Needless to say, those were the only things I liked. It wasn’t exactly interesting besides that. Without the romance it just felt like a normal coming of age story and it was boring otherwise. This isn’t the author’s first novel, so maybe I’ll try that one because this one just wasn’t for me.

This was such a good story! I really enjoyed the overall plot of it and all the characters. There was so many interesting family, friendship and plot dynamics happening here. Everything from Lynda's new step-sister/step-mom to her new girlfriend and the otomoe game! It all collected into such an interesting story. Although I was VERY upset with Lynda and how awful she was being to literally everyone in her life at the end of the story, I could understand where she was coming from. I don't think I would've handled it with such a lack of empathy but I get it, truly. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I'll look forward to reading more from this author!

This book is perfect for readers who love heartwarming stories that are character-driven and delve into themes of self-discovery and unexpected love. The narrative is woven through the lens of creative ambition and LGBTQ+ experiences, making it a must-read for those who appreciate fiction that explores identity and relationships with sensitivity and depth. The characters are richly developed and their journeys will resonate with readers who enjoy stories that tackle both personal and societal issues. With its focus on the power of creativity and the beauty of self-acceptance, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up.

These two girls had me screaming so hard. I wanted them to talk so badly!!! It was an entertaining read with an interesting concept. I enjoyed this overall.

Love Points to You is marketed as a sapphic novel, which I am a big fan of!! However, while this novel did have a sapphic romance, what really moved and stuck with me as I read was the exploration of self and the complexities of family and grief. Lynda is a headstrong and stubborn teenager and I truly feel like Lin NAILED her descriptions and build up of Lynda's character arc as a sixteen year old. Admittedly, some areas of this novel were a bit unbelievable when getting into the nitty gritty of the development of the Otome game and how neatly the end tied up. But truth be told, the story still hit despite that and I truly could appreciate the care and focus on Lynda and her fathers relationship and how it developed over the course of the story. Blended families are a complex topic and I appreciated that Lin captured how rocky and frankly, awkward it can be to have two seperate families assimilate together. The unveiling of why her father did everything he did was truly done so so well. I also really loved Josie as a character but also the development of her relationship with Lynda. I appreciated the asexual representation in this story especially with Angela also being asexual and the candid communication they had for most of the story. Lynda being a somewhat unreliable character really fit with her personality as the way she viewed everything was tainted by her own opinions and personal beliefs which was a very interesting dynamic in the story. Overall, this is a wonderful coming of age story with important representation and despite it not being a perfect story, I am so glad it exists!!

In this adorable little romance, Lynda comes together to work with her arrogant and rich classmate Angela, who turns out to be nothing like Lynda thought. When Lynda's dad remarries, he's too focused on her new stepmother and stepsister and Josie's violin lessons and trying to make them all into the perfect happy family, leaving Lynda a little in the dust. But she has a plan. She can get into art school all on her own. Unfortunately, that means that when Angela Wu approaches her with a job offer, she can't turn it down. Angela is making an otome game, a dating sim, and she wants Lynda to be the illustrator. Can they overcome their differences to create a relationship? Can they both achieve their dreams?
I think that the summary overstates the rivals-to-lovers piece. They are very different people, but really, they overcome it mostly quickly. I really liked that they were both asexual, and that it was never made into a big deal. The tensions and difficulties felt natural, and Lynda was a compelling character. All in all, this is adorable.

Love Points to You is a lovely book with clean, sapphic romance, easy to read, (talk about writing), and great characters! Mention of an otome game? Yes! Main character who is an artist? Yes and yes! My small concern is the conflict. It is somewhat rushed, and then everything has been resolved quickly (ok). Overall, I enjoy the story! Check out Love Points to You if you like playing otome games and/or are an artist (regardless of medium form of art you use). As a bonus, there is an asexual representation!

I have received a free copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Thank you!

This is insanely adorable! And the ace rep! Angela and Linda are so cute together I love how dire and confident Angela is. And how awkward Linda can be. I also like the dynamics with Josie. The romance is for sure the best part and I love that they’re making a game passed on a story that Angela has written. This is a more unique ya romance