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29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz is an intriguing book with Korean culture and a super cute story. It tells the story of a girl who goes on dates set up by a matchmaker, and I loved reading about each of her 29 dates. The main character is also enjoyable, and I would say that this is the perfect pick-me-up.
Title: 29 DatesAuthor: Melissa de la Cruz
Also by this author: Mistletoe: 4 Holiday Stories
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: December 18, 2018
Rating:
Jisu's traditional South Korean parents are concerned by what they see as her lack of attention to her schoolwork and her future. Working with Seoul's premiere matchmaker to find the right boyfriend is one step toward ensuring Jisu's success, and going on the recommended dates is Jisu's compromise to please her parents while finding space to figure out her own dreams. But when she flubs a test then skips out on a date to spend time with friends, her fed-up parents shock her by shipping her off to a private school in San Francisco. Where she'll have the opportunity to shine academically—and be set up on more dates!
Navigating her host family, her new city and school, and more dates, Jisu finds comfort in taking the photographs that populate her ever-growing social media account. Soon attention from two very different boys sends Jisu into a tailspin of soul-searching. As her passion for photography lights her on fire, does she even want to find The One? And what if her One isn't parent and matchmaker approved?
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: 29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz
❀ Lots of Blind Dates
This book tells the story of a girl who is sent to America after struggling at her competitive high school in Korea. At the same time, her parents have set her up with a matchmaker, and she must juggle school with frequent blind dates. I enjoyed reading about how Jisu begins to find herself and her true passion while in America, and her process of adjusting. I would have appreciated more about the culture (both from San Francisco and Seoul), but I still found the story interesting.
❀ Added Humour
One aspect I found intriguing in the novel is the way each chapter is preceded with a little transcript of one of Jisu’s 29 dates. These short scenes add a bit of humour to the book, and I feel like they really showcase Jisu’s personality. They also add some suspense as Jisu gets closer and closer to her 29th date, and I was excited for her to finally find the right match.
❀ Enjoyable Main Character
Jisu is a likeable character, and she is easy to relate to. She deals with a lot as she is shipped off to a new country and has to balance her love life and dreams of an Ivy League school. The pressure she faces from her parents to succeed and her uncertainty about her future make her realistic. I enjoyed how Jisu is still respectful to her parents and their wishes and is willing to continue the dates in her new country. She is sweet, but she is also unafraid to stick up for herself, which makes her an enjoyable character.
❀ A cute story
29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz is a cute story about family, self-discovery, and love. I enjoyed reading about each of Jisu’s dates and how likeable Jisu is. I would recommend this one to young adults for the relatablility, but the content is still appropriate for a younger audience.
About Melissa de la Cruz
Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
I’ve been curious about this book. I am even more so after reading your review. I like that the beginning of each chapter brought some humor to the book. It’s definitely going on my TBR now.
I hope that it is one you enjoy! 🙂
I didn’t know what this one was about, but I’m curious. I can’t imagine being set up by a matchmaker…but hey, maybe it would actually be helpful in the long rung! LOL Though I wouldn’t want to do that AND high school at the same time.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Fact and Fiction in The Greatest Showman
Right?! It is tough enough just being in high school. 😉
Some of the date transcripts definitely added some humor, but I also liked how they were connected to what Jisu was dealing with outside of her dates, and I liked her a lot, which made it easy to root for her to find her happy as well as her match. And I loved Dave and his family and Grandpa – he was the best.
They were the best! 🙂
I had no idea this book was a thing (I guess I’m behind when it comes to ya titles, which is a shame!), but it does sound lovely and like something I would enjoy. I love reading about Korean people ever since I read To All the Boys I loved Before.
Irena BookDustMagic recently posted…Movie Monday: A Monster Calls #MovieReview #MovieMonday #Movie #AMonsterCalls
I am not sure that I have seen it around that much, actually. I love reading about Korean culture as well. 🙂
Melissa De La Cruz’s books are either a hit or miss for you! I have this on my TBR list and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Nice review! 🙂
True! This is one that I really enjoyed and I hope that you do as well. 🙂