If We Ever Meet Again

First published book in the Huang universe and it's wonderful. Well written and fast paced. Wonderful collision of cultures and feelings. Based on some real life experiences Huang brings us to Shanghai and we feel the city, the grit, the grime and the fabulous food. But mostly we feel the first love of Farrah and Blake. Both growing up and learning to be adults and how to navigate the world beyond college. It is touching, full of love, hate and misunderstanding. It does not end happily. But it is only Part one of the story. Can't wait to read the second part! Great to see the outstanding author Huang at the beginning of her writing career.

If We Ever Meet Again is the first book I've ever read from this author, and she did not disappoint. This book is filled with great characters, although there were a few characters that I disliked. This story has friendships, back and forth bater, angst, romance, love, jealousy, doubt and regret. However, the thing I enjoyed the most about the romance in this story was that the romance between Farrah and Blake had a slow burn feel to it. I enjoyed Farrah and Blake characters, and I enjoyed how the author gave their relationship time to develop and grow making their romance believable. The author wrote the story in a way that sucked me in from the very beginning and left me wanting more in the end. This cannot be the end of Farrah and Blake because I need more. They deserve more happiness. I hope Cleo's manipulation and deception is revealed in the next book because I in no terms want Blake to end up with her. I need the truth to be revealed about everything asap in the next book so we can get back to more Farrah and Blake. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series, as well as other books from this author.

The setting is in Shanghai, China. The way the author describes the setting is very easy to follow and not hard to picture. The couple is very insta-love if you don’t like that and I feel like you don’t really get insight into the couple as individuals before they end up together. The couple also has issues with communication which causes way more problems than there would be and they are in their early 20s so they both make questionable decisions especially the male which can be frustrating for the reader if you want them to act more mature. The set up for the second book however is intriguing and I am looking forward to reading and reviewing the next one I do feel as if it would be better than this one. I will not say what all of the tropes are in this book because it might give something away eventually. I liked the couple I just hoped for more character development and growth during the first book.

I am obsessed. The characters, story, freedom, self-discovery, friendships, bonds, adventures, just everything. The arch of Farrah and Blake’s relationship was timeless and portrayed beautifully. It didn’t feel rushed or unrealistic but poetic and natural. The dynamic of being away from home and meeting new people, who end up becoming a family is special and is something to be treasured. The fear, loss, self doubt, mistakes, and worries throughout the group was reassuring that not everyone has their future figured out. I was completely transfixed and enraptured by these characters and I didn’t want it to end. “All their moments together flashed through his mind, and the boy who’d once sworn he would never cry over a girl… cried. He cried because he’d hurt her. He cried because it kept his mind off the desperate loneliness that weighed on his soul the moment she left. Most of all, he cried for what they had, what they lost, and what they could never be.” “Given the drought in Farrah’s dating life, she’d settle for any kind of romantic relationship, even one that ended tragically. Well, maybe not with death, but with a breakup or something. Anything that proved the crazy head-over-heels love you found in books and movies existed in real life.” “Farrah’s heart rate kicked up a notch. He was the opposite of her ideal romantic hero—tall, dark, and handsome, with a side of sensitive, cultured, and well-read—but there was no denying Blake’s s3x appeal. It dripped from him like honey from a hive. “So we didn’t need to introduce ourselves.” “No.” He stepped closer without releasing her hand. “But I wanted an excuse to touch you.” “He wasn’t fluent in Chinese yet, but he was fluent in the language that counts: food.” “You’re having a secret affair with Blake Ryan!” “I am not!” Farrah wrenched her arm away and shook it out. “Jesus, you cut off my circulation.” “Don’t change the subject. You spent an entire day with Blake and didn’t tell us about it. Why?” Olivia wiggled her eyebrows. “What naughty things did you get up to?” “None. You read too many erotica novels.” “I think—” Blake’s voice turned rough. “You’re a smartass who’s too stubborn for your own good. I think you drive me crazier than any person ought to. And I think I might die if I can’t be with you.”

Story was very predictable. I really like Ana's books in general so quite disappointing to see a typical story line here. Also been so used to reading duel perspectives so took a bit of adjustment to get into third person narrative

My daughter loves it thank you

it was okay but so much college attitude and talk i guess im just used to adult mature conversations. 3/5

I was excited to start this series after finishing the Twisted Series by this author. I enjoyed this story as well, but it is very different from her other series. This is book one of a duet, so it does end in a cliffhanger, and it is written in the third person. They weren't deal breakers for me and didn't take away from the book, but I know some prefer getting an HEA at the end and first-person POVs instead. The main characters are younger, too (19 yo FMC and 21 yo MMC), which may be a turn-off for some. Otherwise, the writing was great. The plot was intriguing and moved well. I liked the whole gang of friends and the aspect of found family. I really loved the descriptions of all the foods and places that the characters visited and enjoyed. Felt like I was right there. I was rooting for Farrah and Blake and can't wait to read the next one. I need them to be together