ARC Review: Wonderstruck by Seraphina Chen

This slow burn high school romance was a great read! Tyler, the high school senior jock on the lacrosse team, falls fast and hard for Serena, the former homeschool shy girl that ends up going to public school her senior year. They start off as friends, meeting at a Boba Shop, and eventually tread the territory to become lovers. Their bond grows as they both have moments of vulnerabilities. They are a match made in heaven.
Rating: 4/5

Firstly, thank you so much Netgalley and Seraphina for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book.
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As soon as I started it, I knew I was gonna enjoy this book a lot. The movies, books and song references were really nice, and the book even had a playlist at the beginning. I really loved the nickname that they had for each other. Serena's growth and development was impressive. This book isn’t just about their romance but also about them figuring out themselves. I absolutely adored Tyler and how supportive and loving he was towards Serena. Their relationship was so sweet. The friendships in this book were so strong and were also an integral part of it. Reading this book really made me crave boba tea and egg rolls.
This book although a teen romance is 18+. There was a spice scene in the book that could be skipped if that’s not your vibe. I sometimes felt that some chapters ended a bit abruptly, and smoother transitions could have been made when the scene changed in the same chapter, but that's just me nitpicking. Overall, I had a lovely time reading it.
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Tropes:
dual pov
he falls first and harder
she's his tutor
friends to lovers
cheerleader x lacrosse player
brother’s friend

Cozy book+cozy evening = five stars

Serena was always cautious when she was younger. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it kept her safe from the outside world and protected her from revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she prepares for her senior year at Skyline High School, Serena is set on living her life for herself. She has no idea that high school isn’t always like the movies.
Tyler Westman found high school pretty easy up until his senior year, when he had to juggle responsibilities at home and school. On top of lacrosse, maintaining friendships, caring for his sister and improving his grades for college applications, it’s becoming an endless juggling act. But there's more to him than meets the eye. He's got a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that comes with it. When he meets Serena, a girl with a strong personality, he'll find himself drawn to her like never before.
As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she'll start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he'll find there's more to her than meets the eye.

I like this story. Its funny, cozy and a little bit spice. Serena is cute and Tylor is true golden retriver. Its Sraphina Chen's debute novel and she did her job perfect.

Thank Netgalley for providing ARC of this book.

it’s a debut novel (i believe) which makes some differences in a way i review.

i want to begin with writing and plot, which i find interesting and likable for teens. i find the idea of this book being perfect for readers who want to read clean romance about high school sweethearts. it’s nice, sweet and comfortable.

however, there are a lot of details that made this novel not as enjoyable for me. main character, serena, was annoying from time to time. i hated her saying something, like “i don’t live a typical teenage life”. are you sure? i’m literally have sameeeeee life as you. homeschooled student who works and have only couple of friends. it’s more common among teenagers than you think. i’m not judging about her favorite book choice 👀 but i do always mention, that i hate a lot of modern references. i am the biggest Taylor Swift fan, who mentions Taylor at least 20 times a day, but i’m tired of her references in books, especially cruel summer…

what i did like was chemistry between main characters. i loved the way he called her sunshine (even though sometimes it wasn’t relevant) and friends bonds mentioned in this book. it’s common for authors to forget about friends right after main couple is together, but here friendship was such a big part of a story.

overall, it’s a good romance that require some attention to details. less modern references and more emotions. there is so much potential ☀️

High school romance, a little bit confusing to follow at parts but a really good story about 18 year old Serena who has been home schooled due to bullying in the past decides to liver her life for senior year and enrolled into high school! Tyler falls for the girl in the boba shop but doesn’t ask for her number, what are the chances of them meeting again on the first day of school!
Check the trigger warnings before you read this one as I could see it being triggering for some people! The storyline is really good however the main characters use of bad language seemed very off character for her in parts. Also got a little spicy scene in 🌶️
🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed everyting about this book, the characters, the romance, the side stories, and especially Tyler. We all need a Tyler in our lives. He was definitely added to my list of book boyfriends.

Heres to hoping the next book is about Ali and Jared!!!

Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz for a copy of this book(:

The story is about Serena Inthavong and Tylor Westman, both high school seniors, starting to arrange everything for new experiences. Serena has been homeschooled since she was 13 and now, at her father's wish, wants to experience the outside world. Tylor, the Skyline lacrosse captain, is trying to keep his grades up for college and has gone on a dating hiatus to avoid distractions. However, after meeting Serena, things began to change.

The book is set in the teenage years, a formative time when personalities and feelings develop significantly. It describes the evolution of the teenage mind toward maturity, highlighting how the characters start to prioritize their lives more seriously. Serena hasn't had the typical teenage experience. Her mother left, and her life circumstances have made her a complete introvert. However, she decides to participate in her last year of high school to experience life more fully. Tylor, on the other hand, has experienced every stage of high school life and now, in his senior year, is focused on his future and family.

The book shows that balance is essential, especially when preparing for adulthood. While Serena wants to experience fun times, Tylor is focused on getting serious. The book’s fast pace is suitable for a story about teenagers, with Serena and Tylors’s attraction beginning from their first encounter.

The book’s strength lies in its accurate description of 18- and 19-year-olds' concerns, which can resonate even with older readers. The additional pictures from high school events add a nostalgic touch. However, some aspects might seem trivial to older readers, which could make the book less engaging for them. I rate the book 3 out of 5 and its excitement level at 2 out of 5. If you crave a trip down memory lane, particularly with a focus on cheerleaders and high school life, this book is a good choice.

"Wonderstruck" by Seraphina Chen is a story about a homeschooled girl who decides to attend high school for her senior year. She faces obstacles and possibly finds love along the way. The book showcases great character development with complex yet clear storylines and a super cute love story that will make you smile, laugh, and get emotional.

I loved this book for many reasons. It tackles topics like anxiety, grief, and growing up without tiptoeing around them. The characters are complex individuals with deep emotions, including the antagonists, showing that no one is truly terrible. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a YA novel about growing up and becoming who you are meant to be.

Things I loved:
- The Taylor Swift references
- The fact that the FMC is a reader and kept making bookish references
- The characters' ability to grow.
- Boba. Just that. Boba.

Tropes:
- He falls first
- Friends to Lovers
- Sports Romance

**Thank you to NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.*

Seraphina Chen's newest coming of age book centers around Tyler Westman and Serena Inthavong as they face difficulties during their last year of high school. 

This book was fast paced and generally easy to get through. The premise of the book really drew me, even if it isn't something I'd usually pick up. The main characters, Tyler and Serena, intrigued me and you could sense the tension and chemistry throughout the whole book. Besides the romantic aspect both Tyler and Serena struggled with personal issues that they had to work on in order to become better people.

The friendships were one thing that put me off. You couldn't really feel the chemistry between the characters; they just fell flat for me, but overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I hope there's a book about Jared and Alli soon!

*Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, Seraphina Chen, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

This was such a cute read. The perfect friends to lovers. The relationship between Tyler and Serena was adorable and I loved watching them fall in love. This book has tropes like brothers best friend and sports romance. The 3rd act broke me. This book had such an engaging plot and I loved all the characters. It was great to see them work through their issues. Loved this book

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I absolutely loved it! The pace was set just right, there was enough time to get to know the characters. The tropes were some of my favourite - brothers best friend, sports romance, friends to lovers. I did enjoy how close both of the main characters families were shown throughout the book.

ARC Book Review: *Wonderstruck* by Seraphina Chen**

Rating: 5/5🌟

Seraphina Chen's *Wonderstruck* is a captivating and heartwarming YA romance that beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of high school life. With its well-drawn characters and engaging storyline, this novel is a delightful read that will resonate with both teens and adults.

The story centers around Serena Inthavong, a high school senior determined to live life on her own terms after years of playing it safe. As she navigates the challenges of her final year at Skyline High School, Serena's return to cheerleading and the drama-filled hallways provide a realistic backdrop for her journey of self-discovery. Serena's character is relatable and inspiring, as she faces her fears and learns to embrace her true self.

Tyler Westman, on the other hand, is the quintessential high school golden boy who begins to see through the superficiality of his popularity. As he juggles lacrosse, family responsibilities, and the pressures of college applications, Tyler's path intersects with Serena's, leading to an unexpected and profound connection. Tyler's character development is compelling, showcasing his transition from a carefree teenager to someone seeking deeper meaning and authenticity in his life.

The chemistry between Serena and Tyler is palpable from their first interaction. Chen expertly crafts their relationship, allowing it to grow organically amidst the chaos of high school life. Their journey together is filled with genuine moments of vulnerability, laughter, and growth, making their bond feel both realistic and deeply moving. The dual perspectives provide a comprehensive view of their inner struggles and the ways they help each other navigate their respective challenges.

*Wonderstruck* shines in its portrayal of high school life with all its highs and lows. The drama, friendships, and pressures are depicted with authenticity, making the setting come alive. Chen's writing is both heartfelt and engaging, capturing the essence of teenage turmoil and the magic of first love. The narrative flows seamlessly, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of emotional trauma and the importance of facing one's fears. Serena's journey is particularly poignant as she confronts her past and learns to trust herself. Tyler's storyline adds depth, highlighting the struggles of balancing multiple responsibilities while staying true to oneself.

In summary, *Wonderstruck* by Seraphina Chen is a beautifully crafted YA romance that offers a perfect blend of emotion, humor, and inspiration. With its relatable characters and engaging plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartfelt and uplifting story about love, growth, and finding one's place in the world.


A delightful and emotionally resonant read, *Wonderstruck* is sure to leave readers feeling inspired and moved. Seraphina Chen has crafted a story that beautifully captures the essence of teenage life and the transformative power of love.

This was actually very cute. I like dhow they got to know each other, and their cute dates. I liked them so much and the third act had me screaming. I thought it was cute. I enjoyed this a lot.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all thanks to Netgally for allowing me to read this book.

This book was an amazing read, super easy to read with a captivating story and amazing characters. Serena and Tyler are two teenagers in their last year of high school who are going through hard times in their lives while trying to discover who they are and who they want to be in the future.
It's a beautiful coming of age story about two flawed characters who happen to love each other.
Their chemistry is amazing since the moment they meet until the end of the book. And let me tell you Tyler, is 100% boyfriend material and we all should have a Tyler in our lives.
I really do hope we get Jared and Ali's story in the future.

I really really enjoyed this book! The tension was perfect it was a slow burn but not a boring slow burn things still happened. This was the perfect friends to lovers! I cried at the end!!! But honestly I loved how it still touched on important things like parent loss , parental abandonment etc ! Such a great book

✨I like it when I make you laugh like that. Not when someone else does it.✨

This was such a cute story, a little to YA for me but I wanted to give it a chance! It’s an easy read- read in one sitting.

✧*̥˚ ❝𝓗𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝓽 𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓽𝓼.❞ *̥˚✧

𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
♥ sport romance
♥ cute romance
♥ friends to lovers
♥ slow burn
♥ brothers best friend
♥ sunshine x sunshine.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓 ♡ 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂
Tyler and Serena are such deep, relatable characters with their own flaws and quirks. The book isn't just about their romance; it's also about them finding themselves and accepting who they are. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the way their relationship grows feels so natural and refreshing.

Tyler is completely head over heels from the get-go—new book boyfriend alert!! Serena is such a sweetheart; I just wanted to hug her at times. Her personality is so endearing, and her senior bucket list brought back memories of my own. And those cute nicknames they have for each other? Absolutely adorable!

𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
➺❥ ❝And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favorite playlist and keep on repeat.❞

➺❥ ❝You're not average, Serena. You're far more than average. You're out of this world.❞

➺❥ ❝If you haven't noticed, your looks could kill.❞

➺❥ ❝I like it when I make you laugh like that. Not when someone else does it.❞

➺❥ ❝Sometimes the past hurts us more than we realize. It might be time to confront it and move on.❞

➺❥ ❝You scare me so much, Tyler. You weren't supposed to mean this much to me. I never wanted to find love, because of everything I've gone through. But here we are. I fell for you and I'm still falling for you.❞

~ Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, Seraphina Chen, for providng me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. ~

"And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favourite playlist and keep on repeat"

Firstly, thank you so much to Netgalley and Seraphina for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely LOVED this book for about a million different reasons, but my review would be the length of a book if I listed all of them, so I'm going to list a few.

Story:
If you are looking for a cute, easy to read, fluffy, fast-paced romance, Wonderstruck is for you. From the first page, the book had me hooked, I couldn't put it down. The flow of the storyline was amazing, the plot line was consistent and smooth. I was literally either giggling or blushing almost that entire read, it was just so cute. This book is also a 'teen' romance (however it is recommended for 18+), and all of the relevant book, character and song references through the book had me DEAD. AND, I was craving egg rolls and boba that entire book. It was just so good and I can't wait for release day so I can grab this book in paperback for my shelf!!

Characters:
Tyler and Serena both have depth to their character, both flawed in one way or another. I loved how this book wasn't only focusing on a romantic progression between the characters, but an individual self-acceptance/discovery story. The chemistry between Tyler and Serena was just amazing, and the progression of their story just felt so natural and realistic, which was honestly so refreshing to read. AND THE NICKNAMES OMG AHHHHHH!!

Tyler: We LOVE a man who is absolutely whipped from page 1. New book boyfriend alert!!

Serena: Such a sweetheart, there were times through the book where I just wanted to give her a hug. I loved her personality so so much, especially the depth to her character. And her little senior bucket list just reminded me of my own senior bucket list, which was so sweet.

Tropes:
- dual pov
- friends to lovers
- brother's best friend
- coming of age
- she's his tutor
- he falls first and harder
- sunshine x sunshine

Quotes:
yes, my whole clippings section on my kindle is FILLED with Wonderstruck quotes, but here are a few:
- "Her laugh is infectious, her smile is so genuine. And those damn coffee-brown eyes."
- "Maybe I'm thinking with my heart and not my brain. Maybe I'm not thinking at all"
- "I'm tired of not being the main character in my own story"
- "I'm an idiot sandwich"
- "I have to admit, I'm finding it hard to concentrate with you looking like that"
- "You both look at each other a little too long to be just friends."

I'll be needing Jared and Alli's story real soon too!

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
I really enjoyed everything in this book, the romance, the side stories, all of Serena’s history.

Tyler is defo one of my book bfs now. Also the nicknames 💗💗💗

I hope there will be a book abt her stepbrother and bsf.

Also all of the references to some of my fav books and Taylor swift and other singers was also amazing.

I read this book in one seating ! Tyler and Serena are so cute , reading about their relationship got me giggleing and kicking my feet , classic book Highschool romance and a trope I also found is brothers best friend ( or almost best friend ). I love that the rest of the characters ( nor Tyler ans Serena ) are included but still not too much since is some books they really forget about the main couple sometimes . Also he fell first and definitely harder !!