These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.
Alice Lin - Author
This is a contemporary YA romance about reconnecting with someone changed by fame. Alongside Lulu and Kite’s feelings, it considers friendship, family relationships, celebrity privacy, fandom culture, mental health and bisexual identity.
childhood friendshipromantic feelingscommunicationhonestyK-pop celebrityfandom culturesocial mediaprivacybisexualityAsian American identitysupportive relationshipscultural representation
FictionNovel
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Themes in Context
Reconnection and romance
Lulu reconnects with Kite after his return from South Korea and begins falling in love while their old friendship develops again.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: The relationship is presented as a central, positive emotional journey, with honesty and openness described as necessary for moving forward.
Talk about: How does renewed closeness change what Lulu and Kite expect from one another?
Fame, fandom and privacy
Kite’s public identity affects the developing relationship, while he tries to keep his presence at home secret and avoid public places.CriticalCritical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.Critical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.
How the book presents it: The book is described as showing both positive and negative sides of fandom culture and stressing that celebrities remain entitled to private lives.
Talk about: When does enthusiasm for a performer become pressure or intrusion, and how are boundaries handled?
Identity and representation
Lulu is bisexual and Taiwanese American, while Kite is Chinese American; the author describes supportive friends and family and casual LGBTQ+ representation.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: Bisexuality and Asian American identity are presented as ordinary, visible parts of character and community rather than problems requiring justification.
Talk about: How do Lulu’s relationships and cultural experiences shape her sense of being herself?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
Readers may value its Asian and LGBTQ+ representation, including a bisexual Taiwanese American protagonist and a Chinese American love interest. The story also treats public visibility and private boundaries as important parts of relationships.
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What Deserves Attention
Pay attention to how the story handles Kite’s medical break, mental health, anger towards a divorced parent, social-media toxicity and privacy. These topics may invite discussion even.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How do Lulu and Kite balance affection with honesty, privacy and the pressures of fame? You could also ask whether family and friends make it easier for them to be themselves.
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Reading Approach
A useful approach is to pause after changes in Lulu and Kite’s relationship, asking what each person knows, wants and withholds. Revisit privacy and fandom after relevant developments rather than assuming celebrity romance is simple.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Reconnection and romance: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Fame, fandom and privacy: The specific incidents illustrating social-media toxicity and privacy violations are not detailed.
Identity and representation: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
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