Title: Clementine and Danny Save the World (and Each Other)
Author: Livia Blackburne
Published by: Quill Tree Books
Publishing date: August 15, 2023
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4/5
Summary:
You’ve Got Mail gets a fresh YA twist in this irresistible rom-com that spotlights the power of activism and community organizing in the face of gentrification, perfect for fans of Tweet Cute and Yes No Maybe So.
Clementine Chan believes in the power of the written word. Under the pseudonym Hibiscus, she runs a popular blog reviewing tea shops and discussing larger issues within her Chinatown community. She has a loyal, kind following, save for this one sour grape named BobaBoy888.
Danny Mok is allergic to change, and the gentrification seeping into Chinatown breaks his heart. He channels his frustration into his internet alter ego, BobaBoy888, bickering with local blogger Hibiscus over all things Chinatown and tea.
When a major corporation reveals plans that threaten to shut down the Mok’s beloved tea shop, Clementine and Danny find themselves working together in real life to save this community they both love. But as they fall hard for this cause—and each other—they have no clue that their online personas have been fighting for years.
When the truth comes to light, can Danny and Clementine still find their happily-ever-after?
*Thank you to Quill Tree Books for a free e-copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.*
This was an enjoyable read that touched on topics like gentrification, culture, family and community in a really touching way, while also remaining overall fun and lighthearted. The story is set in Chinatown, and it almost feels like its own character with the level of passion it fuels in the characters and the way it brings its residents together. The story is told in alternating POVs of Danny and Clementine, and I like how they both experience and look at things differently, but also both very clearly love their community. I found myself easily invested in their joint effort to save their community from a corporate takeover, and I feel like the story realistically showed the difficulties and setbacks of that kind of activism, while maintaining a strong air of hope. And I won’t spoil anything, but there’s a moment at the end with Danny that just warmed my heart so much. I really liked the overall plot of the story.
I do have to say the romance element was a little more underwhelming than I was hoping for. It felt a little rushed and convenient. Like, I’m not sure what it was that made the characters feel drawn to each other romantically, aside from noticing the other as good looking. For me the romance sort of took a back seat to the rest of the story, which I actually don’t mind, though if you’re looking for more intense or more focused romance, you might not get what you want here. The blog identity drama also felt a little silly and not as engaging for me. It’s a great way of showing how Danny and Clementine have different outlooks on a similar passion, so it was overall fine, just not as exciting as I wanted. But the overall story still engaged me, and the story is full of sweet, funny, and realistic high school moments with the characters and their friends, which adds to an overall fun tone.
What I loved the most about this story is everything taking place in Danny’s family’s tea shop. I loved that through these scenes I got to learn more about what a traditional Chinese tea shop can be like. I loved all of the interactions with the Aunties and Uncles and the intense mahjong games. I loved learning about Danny’s history growing up with this shop as his second home. It’s a central place in this story, and I think there’s something special about a setting in a story shows such significance, like it’s its own character. For me that setting feels like the real heart of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this story. I wouldn’t rate it as a top romance for me, but as a contemporary fiction? It was sweet and enjoyable and I think has a lot to offer. I would recommend.
Tea, coffee, both, or neither?
Thanks for reading!
Faith Noelle 