*4.5 Stars*

I really loved this one. It was so good and so original. I felt like I never read a similar story before. I even shed a few tears, I was so invested from beginning to end. The very beginning left me a little "???" like that wasn't her fault at all but I fell deep into the story and couldn't stop reading. I really liked the main character. She grew so much throughout the book. I also enjoyed the side characters. I just really loved this one. I can't wait to read Ann Liang's next book.

I did not love this story as much as I have loved Ann Liang's other books, but I really liked the travel storyline and the rediscovering one's roots and culture that this novel focuses on. Leah and Cyrus didn't capture me as characters quite as much as I would have hoped for. I didn't really care enough about them to cheer for their happy ending. But I would recommend this and her other books to readers of romance who are also interested in diverse authors and stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

3.5 stars rounded down to 3 on Goodreads

Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for providing me with an ARC!

I made a mistake after reading this book. I forgot to put it in Goodreads until July (2 months later) and I can’t find my notes that I usually write about books for this one. So, I honestly can’t remember anything and I have no idea what to say in this review.

Ann Liang is a staple in the bookstagram ya romance community, and I was so excited to read this one! It’s my second book by her this year, but unfortunately I liked this one less than the other one. It’s not a bad book (3.5 stars is good for me), though there are many romance I’d recommend over this one.

A beautiful coming-of-age story unfolds, centered on the profound journey of self-acceptance and self-love.

Meet Leah Zhang, who appears to have it all: beauty, a successful modeling career, and a coveted spot in her high school's "in" crowd. Yet, beneath the polished exterior lies a secret. Just two years prior, Leah was far from the sophisticated, confident persona she now projects. Through countless hours of YouTube tutorials, a complete style overhaul, and strategic moves to new schools, she meticulously shed her old self, emerging as a brand new Leah. Even her "best friend" isn't a true confidante; Leah can't trust her with her deepest secrets. The biggest one? Leah Zhang just quit the modeling industry. She wonders: will Cate still accept her if Leah reveals her true self, rather than the polished version everyone expects?

Then, at her cousin's wedding, a seemingly innocent toast in Chinese goes awry when Leah accidentally wishes the newlyweds misfortune. Her highly superstitious cousin flees the room in tears, convinced this is an omen of a doomed marriage. Adding insult to injury, the source of Leah's past school torment due to a malicious and devastating lie by none other than Cyrus, is seated right next to her at the reception. He witnesses the entire debacle.

Following the family humiliation and her mother's furious disappointment over "loss of face," Leah's mother enrolls her in a trip to Shanghai. The goal: for Leah to reconnect with her roots and shed her "foreigner" label.

The heart of Leah's coming-of-age journey: learning to accept herself, which includes returning to face her nemesis, Cyrus Sui, and finally confronting the lie that has shadowed her 16 years of school life, a lie that earned her universal school disdain. Her last modeling assignment was so traumatizing that Leah walked away from it all, but the ordeal left her with no one to confide in. Her "friends" are purely transactional; she knows the real Leah would drive them away. This changes when she attends an overseas summer program, meeting other young Asians who, like her, are seeking to discover their authentic selves and cultural roots.

The story reveals unexpected emotional depth. Even the seemingly superficial "bad boy" character has a compelling backstory. As Leah navigates life beyond her "transactional" friendships in the States, she finally learns to embrace her true self and discovers genuine connections with friends who accept her for who she is now, not for her past.

Never Thought I'd End Up Here by Ann Liang was such a cute YA story. This was my first book by Liang and I can’t wait to read more from her.

This is a story about Leah Zhang who is a Chinese American teenager. Leah makes a scene by accidentally cursing her newlywed cousins. Her mom, angry and embarrassed decided that it was time she learned about her culture, roots, and maybe herself. So she sends her on a trip to China. She also ends up on this trip with Cyrus who she thinks of as her childhood enemy. Only to learn that maybe he is not as bad as she thought. This story was cute, lighthearted, and funny at times. The characters were well written, she captured teenagers thoughts, feelings, and POV’s very well. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Chinese culture throughout the book. Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

This was a sweet and cozy read for me.
This book seemed like a rivals to lovers, except as I read more, the rivalry was actually one-sided.
I loved that the fmc just forgot about her revenge plans midway because she started falling for the mmc. The mmc helped her with her struggles of learning mandarin, and made her feel seen for who she was, not for her model status.
Besides the romance, I loved how relatable this story is. It shows the struggles one may have in connecting with their roots and language, regardless if they’re first-gen. Overall I give this book 4.25 stars.

This was a very cute read. There were times I was a little confused as to why the MC acted the way she did. But it’s also a YA story. So it’s par for the course when you read YA that some times the MCs are just trying to figure life and themselves out. I loved how the friendships developed throughout the story. I did the audio with this and I’m not sure if it’s just since it’s one narrator doing all the voices, but I thought the love interest was autistic. There isn’t anything wrong with that since I have children who are autistic, but it was never mentioned so I think it was just the way they voiced him. Overall good solid book about growing into oneself and learning to forgive the past to be better in the future.

“You remind me of the greatest sculptors, who can turn marble into the impression of billowing silk, the coldest stone into something soft. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that everything you touch turns beautiful. The world becomes beautiful, as long as there’s you.”

Leah Zhang’s life has veered off course. For the last two years she’s been a model, until she quit for a reason she refuses to tell anyone. Feeling lost and unsure of her identity, she makes a fatal language error at her cousin’s wedding, wishing them ill health and a depressing marriage. To fix this, her parents decide to send her on a two-week travel program to China to improve her language skills. Leah is excited to get a chance to escape from the drama of her past, but she spots her former enemy, Cyrus, among the group for the trip at the airport. She takes this as her opportunity to finally get revenge on him for ruining her life two years ago, but her heart has other plans. As they travel through the provinces of China, Leah begins to fall in love with herself, her country, and the boy she never thought she would.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here found me at a time when I needed it most. Leah has recently left the world of modeling behind, but it took a toll on her. When Leah quit modeling, she didn’t know how to grapple with the feeling of abandoning something she’d worked so hard for, even if it hurt her. I could relate to a lot of these feelings as someone who was on the fringes of the music industry for years before quitting and never looking back. Leah felt like she was the only person who quietly disappeared from this industry, but I knew that she was not. I loved how she didn’t just discover romance on her journey through China, she also discovered self-love. After years of searching for a place to belong, Leah found her footing thousands of miles away from home, and Cyrus was her biggest supporter. The two had great banter, but they also understood each other on a deeper level. Since he was fluent in Mandarin, Cyrus also helped Leah reconnect with the language she had lost. As someone who is a week away from flying to another country to immerse herself in the language, I saw what I had to look forward to in the way Leah slowly discovered new words and places in a different country. Never Thought I’d End Up Here was my first Ann Liang book, but it will not be my last. She has made me a fan for life.

In Never Thought I’d End Up Here, bestselling author Ann Liang delivers a fresh, emotionally resonant YA romance that will captivate longtime fans and new readers alike. Balancing humor, heart, and introspection, Liang’s latest stands out as her most accomplished novel to date.

When Leah is forced into close proximity with Cyrus—a boy she barely tolerates—the stage seems set for a familiar enemies-to-lovers trope. But Liang cleverly subverts expectations, offering a relationship that evolves with quiet authenticity rather than dramatic plot twists. The result is a compelling, character-driven story that charts the emotional growth of two teens learning to trust, heal, and open themselves up to connection.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with standout performances from secondary characters like Oliver, whose charm and complexity add layers to the narrative. Liang also subtly incorporates representation that feels organic, enriching the world without overwhelming the central storyline.

While the novel touches on serious themes, it chooses emotional realism over heavy-handed commentary, which may leave some readers wanting more depth—but for others, it strikes just the right tone. A pitch-perfect blend of wit, vulnerability, and romantic tension, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is a heartfelt, satisfying triumph.

Recommended for readers 13+
Ages: 13-18 | Grade Level: 8-12
Rating: ★★★★½☆

Great coming of age story. I really felt like I there, the way the author described the scenery which I loved! I would definitely read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for exchange for my honest opinion.

I adored this book. The descriptions were so rich and really brought this story and China to life. I loved Leah and Cyrus’ love story and Leah’s growth throughout the book.

A quietly powerful coming-of-age story set against a vibrant backdrop of culture, ambition, and identity. Liang’s writing is lyrical and introspective, capturing the push-pull of teenage uncertainty. While the plot is a bit predictable, the emotional depth and nuanced character work make this a heartfelt and rewarding read.

Cute, light, and humorous YA romance about a teenage Chinese-American girl finding herself on a cultural immersion trip to China. Ann Liang’s writing is always great. The characters were well done- angsty teenagers but with a smattering of trauma. I enjoyed the insight into the Chinese language and culture.

Thank you Scholastic and NetGalley for the eARC!

thank you so much to colored pages blog tours and the publisher for the early copy! all opinions are my own!

i believe Ann Liang might become a must read author for me because the way it BROKE ME IN PIECES BUT AT THE SAME TIME HEALED ME?!?!?!?!?!?
i have no idea why i'm reading so many books inspired by/with/happening in Asian countries this year but i'm here for it because i love how authors play with the setting and how important it is to the characters. and this time it made me rethink a lot of things about those who inmigrate as kids and then forget everything about their home country, which happens more often that anyone realizes. with that said, i ADORED the setting of the book and how it started happening, i adore how the author was able to show us the magic of China that goes beyond the aesthetic and what the mainstream thinks about it.
and finally i read a book with kids that loathe each other but their feelings grow in time (mainly because i wanna write one too but had no idea how to do it). I so enjoyed whenver he was near because of all the feelings involved, which was super adorable. how they eventually started to trust one another, so far as to believe he will be the one to get her and save her when she got lost. how she wasn't afraid of sharing her deepest secret because, for the first time in forever, she wanted to tell someone. and then there are her thoughts, which were what broke me in the first place. i think anyone who is having doubts about everything in life can find themselves reflected in this book because the amount of times i yelled out loud when something made me emotional??? lost count 😱😱
pick up this book when you can because it's valuable and beautiful and unique, and i'm so glad i discovered the author last year because she writes in such a compelling way you can't help but read it fast 😎😍

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a quick, straight to the point kinda book. I loved the Chinese culture and the whole concept of getting closer to your roots. Cyrus was DREAMY I love him. While I appreciated the journey that the FMC went through, I found her internal monologue INSUFFERABLE. There were so much over explanations and trips down memory lane that made the story choppy. I know how you feel, let me figure out WHY you feel that way. The whole boo me my only value is bc I am pretty blah blah blah was NOT my favorite. Again the journey and development was GOOD, but the statements before were idk, cheesy and I felt myself rolling my eyes so much. So yeah this book was worth the read, but not much more than that.

Such a sweet and endearing ya romance. A journey of personal discovery, new found friendship and cultural growth. Beautifully written standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Scholastic Press, for allowing me the privilege of a first read.

I loved this book. It was a quick read and so enjoyable. It was fun to just read a lighthearted romance.

The characters and setting are incredible!

Recommend.

While Never Thought I’d End Up Here is my first Ann Liang book, I’ve since learned that she has quite the following - and it makes sense because she writes relatable teen characters who serve both as windows and mirrors to their readers. Never Thought I’d End Up Here provides one such scenario through Leah, an American teen sent on a trip to China by her parents to absorb the language and learn more about her roots in the homeland. This novel is a solid choice for young adult readers looking for an epic adventure with a bit of romance sprinkled throughout!

When former model Leah Zhang totally flubs her well-wishes to her cousin at her wedding, she knows she is in for it. Her parents have just about had it up to here with her, and decide to send her on a two-week educational trip to China so that she can learn about and appreciate where her family came from. Leah is looking forward to exploring all of the beautiful and interesting sights and sounds China has to offer … that is, until she discovers Cyrus, her arch nemesis, is also coming on this trip. How can Leah relax and escape her former life, with Cyrus, the guy who knows all of her secrets, hanging around?!

However, Leah starts to sing a different tune the deeper into China she travels. As she and Cyrus are paired up for various activities and competitions throughout the trip, she starts to realize he might not be as bad as she thought. And learning about her roots and exploring the beauty of China is turning out to be even better for the soul than she first realized. Could this once-in-a-lifetime trip be a monumental turning point for Leah?

Never Thought I’d End Up Here is a perfect read for those suffering from wanderlust! Liang brings China to life in this fun, engaging, and poignant young adult read. Liang deftly combines a coming-of-age story of self-discovery with an enemies turned lovers romance. Pick this one up if you want to explore the world from the comfort of home!

I thought this was a really fun and cute story with characters that you can relate to no matter your age.

Leah and Cyrus were so utterly adorable and sweet that you're in danger of developing a toothache. It was the little things that Cyrus did -like buying Leah snacks that she had been staring at- that really had me squealing in delight. And I loved that Leah was able to be completely vulnerable with Cyrus and confide in him. They've become one of my favorite fictional couples.

Not only did I love the romance in this story, but I also loved the friendships that developed throughout Leah's travels. I actually wish we could have had a few extra scenes showing Leah and Daisy's friendship. I'd also love it if we could get a spin-off for Daisy and maybe one for Oliver as well. Those two definitely deserve their own happily ever after.

I think the only "complaint" I have is that I think it would have been nice to have more scenes of Leah immersing herself in the culture and maybe her interacting with some of the other members of the group. I think that would have made the anonymous compliment more impactful if we had read about Leah interacting with some of the other group members.

Thank you to Ann Liang and Netgalley for the e-arc.

First off, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Scholastic, for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

If Ann Liang writes it, then I’m reading it! I’ve read most of her books by now, and I was so excited when I got the chance to read this one. This was so cute, and I would love to see it adapted. I think it’d make such a good romcom!

Leah gets sent on a two-week trip to China, and even though this was not something she planned herself, she ended up learning more about her roots. She really enjoyed getting to explore different parts of China, and I love that she was able to reconnect with her heritage.

The aspect of Leah being a former model was really interesting. We see how the industry and how people treated her really affected her view on herself. It’s hard for her to trust in anyone truly liking her for who she is, which made me really sad. Screw the people who made her feel like she wasn’t enough. She’s not really sure what she wants to do now either, and I think it was pretty realistic considering she had a career already, and it didn’t end up going how she thought it would. She’s only a teenager, and she has her whole life ahead of her. One of the things that I loved about this trip was that apart from reconnecting with her heritage and developing a romance with Cyrus, she also made true friends (Oliver and Daisy), something that she lacked.

I was really curious as to what Cyrus did that ruined her life. I didn’t expect it to be what it was nor did I expect him to have behaved the way he did when they were young. They were childhood friends in a way, and he made mistakes when they were young. I’m glad he grew out of a certain mindset since it’s one that I don’t really like. He realized it was wrong, and he sincerely apologized. He also genuinely felt bad for what he caused. You can see that Cyrus is a good guy, and he just wants Leah to be happy. He’s so in love and soft for her, and it was sweet to see. They had so many cute scenes together! She tried to push down her feelings, set on getting revenge, but that evidently didn’t work out.

Cyrus understands Leah so well, getting that he has to earn her trust. He also has his own issues, which made him feel more like a well-rounded character. Both him and Leah are going through it, and I just hope they are able to find more happiness in life and feel deserving of it.

I like that Ann Liang combines romance with other topics, like reconnecting with your culture, dealing with insecurities and trust issues, struggling to make friends and more. She also went a little bit into the bad side of the modeling industry. But overall, there was a good balance of all these elements, so the book didn’t feel too heavy. There was also some humor, which helped lighten it.

Going back to Oliver and Daisy, I really liked them as characters! I would’ve loved to have seen a bit more of them. I also think it would’ve been cool to see even more of Leah reconnecting with her culture since I really loved a lot of those scenes.

I love that there was an epilogue! While I enjoy the buildup, I also love it when we get to read about the couple when they’re officially a couple.

Overall, I loved this book and am glad I got the chance to read it! 4.25 stars!