A interesting character study and drama about millennial malaise- this time specific to 1st and 2nd generation Asian immigrants.
A group of 4 friends from a private school are the subject of a documentary called “Bad Asians” that goes viral on YouTube. Their frenemy Grace takes advantage of them and films them and interviews them. The way they are portrayed is not flattering, but it is well done. The book is about the aftermath of this and how it occurred. Themes are around relationships and groups of friends, found family and how those closest to us know us and then become complete strangers.
Here are 4 people who did everything right and the economy and world just passed them by. This is them coming to terms with their parents’ legacy and expectations and how they chose to integrate into adult life. All 4 main characters ad internal demons and all had really interesting and compelling character ARC. I can definitely relate to the struggles and the nostalgia over the course of the novel. I can’t quite call it historical fiction, but it is a time span that shows how much we change from our early 20’s to the late 30’s.
I particularly enjoyed the audiobook performance, only one narrator, but she had great pacing and different voices that I felt were authentic to the author’s intentions for the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. Book to be published February 17, 2026.
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