Ex Marks the Spot
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
This book was so beautifully written that I feel like I have just been on a two week journey with Gemma, Xander, & all the other TARPers along with the most amazing characters. Like any good Journey, I have learned so much, not just about Gemma and Xander's reunion, what a beautiful second chance slow burn story they had, but also about the way that Asian Americans see themselves. This push and pull of growing up that any college freshman faces is one thing, but add to that the cultural & the familial push and pull along with the identity aspect of language as a connection to heritage is something that I never considered before. Seeing Gemma experience Taiwan as someone who is almost fully estranged from her cultural heritage & learning through an Inheritance 'Treasure' Hunt was awe inspiring, insightful, and dare I say educational.
Gloria Chao brought so many emotions to this book but always stayed focused on the joy of discovery and healing of hearts. I loved that this book as all told from Gemma's perspective yet was balanced with Xander's 'seemingly privileged' position which brought its own limitations and expectations to the story. Add to that the hidden love story of X (no spoilers here 😁) and this is a book that will bring you to tears and have you calling your parents and grands to chat.
This book was so beautifully written that I feel like I have just been on a two week journey with Gemma, Xander, & all the other TARPers along with the most amazing characters. Like any good Journey, I have learned so much, not just about Gemma and Xander's reunion, what a beautiful second chance slow burn story they had, but also about the way that Asian Americans see themselves. This push and pull of growing up that any college freshman faces is one thing, but add to that the cultural & the familial push and pull along with the identity aspect of language as a connection to heritage is something that I never considered before. Seeing Gemma experience Taiwan as someone who is almost fully estranged from her cultural heritage & learning through an Inheritance 'Treasure' Hunt was awe inspiring, insightful, and dare I say educational.
Gloria Chao brought so many emotions to this book but always stayed focused on the joy of discovery and healing of hearts. I loved that this book as all told from Gemma's perspective yet was balanced with Xander's 'seemingly privileged' position which brought its own limitations and expectations to the story. Add to that the hidden love story of X (no spoilers here 😁) and this is a book that will bring you to tears and have you calling your parents and grands to chat.