Weike Wang

I couldn't make this one work for me. I tried...but it just didn't capture me at all. I tend towards plot driven novels and this is definitely all character driven. I couldn't warm up to any of the characters. To me the message is let me be me and you be you. That's not a new message. However, if the reader is unaware of the racist history and present day harassment of the Chinese American population, it serves as a reminder and/or a revelation. References throughout refresh our memory that life can seem very different to those who experience microaggressions on a daily basis. A lot of people rave about this book so my advice is try it...it might work well for you.… (meer)

American Dream



I was on a mission to start my year of reading off with a bang but at the same time I wanted to read something out of my comfort zone. So, when I saw this on NetGalley it checked off a few of my reading requirements for 2022. I wasn’t sure initially if I was going to like Joan is Okay. The writing style very straight forward which is much like Joan out main character. She is a team player at a big hospital in NYC and her big interest and focus is to keep everything running like a well-oiled machine. As I continued reading and learned more about her parents, it was easy to understand what formed Joan into the person she is. There is an underlying dry humor in this book that makes it more relatable. What I loved about this book is that it shows the reader that it is okay to be unapologetically yourself. Without conforming to the want and need to fit into a mold that was set out for you.

Thank you to all parties involved in the decision for my receiving this arc in exchange for my honest review. Overall I enjoyed this book very much four stars from me. I will read more from this author moving forward.… (meer)