I hope this doesn't find you by Ann Liang

It's rare to find a romance novel that is not only entertainingly funny but also rich in endearing, well-developed characters and intricate relationship dynamics.Ann Liang's talent shines through in both relatable character portrayal and development in I Hope This Doesn't Find You.

Protagonist Sadie Wen holds the titles of school captain, valedictorian, and is praised as a delight in class. Sadie has a coping mechanism to maintain her picture-perfect smile – she channels her frustrations into unsent email drafts. These emails allow her to vent about her power-hungry English teacher or classmates taking credit for her work, without causing any harm. Among her most strongly worded email drafts are those aimed at her infuriating co-captain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive nature have irritated Sadie since childhood. In these emails, Sadie expresses her true feelings without any filter, releasing her pent-up emotions.

When Sadie's emails unintentionally reach the entire school, she is confronted with the impending collapse of the facade she meticulously built - that of a perfect, diligent student who refrains from speaking ill of others. Liang uses this event to showcase Sadie's inner conflict, her struggle between shrinking herself to avoid conflict and the part of her longing to voice her thoughts. This sets the stage for her character growth. Initially a people-pleaser craving validation, Sadie gradually evolves over the story, prioritising her own feelings over others' approval. Amidst the turmoil, one unexpected person begins to appreciate the genuine Sadie – Julius, the very person she vowed to despise.

The story delves into who Sadie and Julius truly are, their motivations, fears, goals, dreams, and how these aspects intertwine.

I Hope This Doesn't Find You stands out as Ann Liang's finest romantic comedy. It's masterfully executed and beautifully crafted, a book I can envision revisiting multiple times.

Themes: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, High School.

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