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Wonderstruck
Serena Inthavong always played it safe growing up. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it protected her from the outside world and revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she gears up for her senior year at Skyline High School, Serena is determined to live her life for her and no one else. Little does she know, high school isn’t always like the movies. With drama-filled hallways and an unexpected return to cheerleading–a world she had left behind for valid reasons–Serena's journey through high school will be anything but conventional.
Meanwhile, Tyler Westman sailed through high school like it was a breeze up until his senior year with competing responsibilities at home and school. Between lacrosse, maintaining his friendships, taking care of his sister, and getting his grades up for college applications, it’s turning into an endless responsibility juggling. But beneath his cool exterior lurks a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that came along with it. When he crosses paths with Serena, a girl with magnetic energy, he will find himself drawn to her like never before.
As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she will start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he will find layers to her personality that he won’t be able to resist.
Meanwhile, Tyler Westman sailed through high school like it was a breeze up until his senior year with competing responsibilities at home and school. Between lacrosse, maintaining his friendships, taking care of his sister, and getting his grades up for college applications, it’s turning into an endless responsibility juggling. But beneath his cool exterior lurks a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that came along with it. When he crosses paths with Serena, a girl with magnetic energy, he will find himself drawn to her like never before.
As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she will start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he will find layers to her personality that he won’t be able to resist.
340 pages, ebook
Published August 2, 2024
8 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
July 26, 2024
REVIEW TO COME😍😍!!!!!!!!!
Read
October 8, 2024it’s a debut novel (i believe) which makes some differences in a way i review.
i want to begin with writing and plot, which i find interesting and likable for teens. i find the idea of this book being perfect for readers who want to read clean romance about high school sweethearts. it’s nice, sweet and comfortable.
however, there are a lot of details that made this novel not as enjoyable for me. main character, serena, was annoying from time to time. i hated her saying something, like “i don’t live a typical teenage life”. are you sure? i literally have sameeeeee life as you. like literally same!!! homeschooled student who works and only have couple of friends. it’s more common among teenagers than you think. i’m not judging about her favorite book choice 👀… but i do always mention, that i hate a lot of modern references. i am the biggest Taylor Swift fan, who mentions Taylor at least 20 times a day, but i’m tired of her references in books, especially cruel summer…
what i did like was chemistry between main characters. i loved the way he called her sunshine (even though sometimes it wasn’t relevant) and friends bonds mentioned in this book. it’s common for authors to forget about friends right after main couple is together, but here, friendship was such a big part of a story.
finally, i couldn’t not mention, their first time…why this location?😭
overall, it’s a good romance that require some attention to details. less modern references and more emotions. there is so much potential ☀️
Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz's for approving my request.
i want to begin with writing and plot, which i find interesting and likable for teens. i find the idea of this book being perfect for readers who want to read clean romance about high school sweethearts. it’s nice, sweet and comfortable.
however, there are a lot of details that made this novel not as enjoyable for me. main character, serena, was annoying from time to time. i hated her saying something, like “i don’t live a typical teenage life”. are you sure? i literally have sameeeeee life as you. like literally same!!! homeschooled student who works and only have couple of friends. it’s more common among teenagers than you think. i’m not judging about her favorite book choice 👀… but i do always mention, that i hate a lot of modern references. i am the biggest Taylor Swift fan, who mentions Taylor at least 20 times a day, but i’m tired of her references in books, especially cruel summer…
what i did like was chemistry between main characters. i loved the way he called her sunshine (even though sometimes it wasn’t relevant) and friends bonds mentioned in this book. it’s common for authors to forget about friends right after main couple is together, but here, friendship was such a big part of a story.
finally, i couldn’t not mention, their first time…why this location?😭
overall, it’s a good romance that require some attention to details. less modern references and more emotions. there is so much potential ☀️
Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz's for approving my request.
July 22, 2024
Wonderstruck by Seraphina Chen is a wonderful story about teenage love and character.
This book had me laughing, giggling at all the friendship interactions, and Aunt Lina. The characters were fleshed out, and I felt that I knew them by heart. Especially because some of the them felt relatable to some experiences that I have been through in my own life. I was able to connect with each of the characters, and share my love for Thai Green Tea. I mean, it truly is the best drink for a summers day.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Serena and Tyler. The way that they trusted each other was something I hope to experience sometime in my life. They were patient, and caring, always having each others back. It was the cutest thing to see when reading this book.
However, one thing that stuck out to me in this book was the fact that the characters were 18 going into senior year. I felt that this came across as a little unrealistic compared to my own experiences. Additionally the fact that Serena has been accepted to schools like Duke and Clemson via early acceptance even before she went into senior year also stuck out to me as odd.
It also felt like there was a bit of repetitiveness around the last 50% of the book, and a spice scene that was a bit random.
However, none of this stuff detracted from the content of the book!
Overall, I really had a fun time reading this book, and enjoyed this cute romance!
Thank you to Netgally and BookBuzz for accepting my request and allowing me to review this!
This book had me laughing, giggling at all the friendship interactions, and Aunt Lina. The characters were fleshed out, and I felt that I knew them by heart. Especially because some of the them felt relatable to some experiences that I have been through in my own life. I was able to connect with each of the characters, and share my love for Thai Green Tea. I mean, it truly is the best drink for a summers day.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Serena and Tyler. The way that they trusted each other was something I hope to experience sometime in my life. They were patient, and caring, always having each others back. It was the cutest thing to see when reading this book.
However, one thing that stuck out to me in this book was the fact that the characters were 18 going into senior year. I felt that this came across as a little unrealistic compared to my own experiences. Additionally the fact that Serena has been accepted to schools like Duke and Clemson via early acceptance even before she went into senior year also stuck out to me as odd.
It also felt like there was a bit of repetitiveness around the last 50% of the book, and a spice scene that was a bit random.
However, none of this stuff detracted from the content of the book!
Overall, I really had a fun time reading this book, and enjoyed this cute romance!
Thank you to Netgally and BookBuzz for accepting my request and allowing me to review this!
July 17, 2024
3 stars ✨
This is a very cute high school sweetheart book, easy to read and fast paced.
Wonderstruck is about Serena and Tyler who are in their last year of high school and are going through hard times trying to understand who they are and what they want to do in the future. The book explores grief, bullying, the challenges of high school and self-discovery.
The chemistry between Serena and Tyler is lovely. Loved how he called her sunshine and how he was head over heels for her.
When I started the book I was really enjoying it until I got around the 60% of the book, it felt kind of repetitive in my opinion, the modern references were annoying me and it made it less enjoyable for me. There was also one spice scene (the only one) which I feel that was really random and I think it shouldn’t be in the book since it kind of started being a YA romance and that scene was like throw in there out of nowhere 🤷🏻♀️
💌 tropes:
-friends to lovers
-brother’s best friend
-cheerleader x lacrosse player
-dual pov
-he falls first
-bucket list
-coming of age
Thank you NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for a honest review.
Español
Este es un libro muy lindo sobre high school sweetheart, fácil de leer y de ritmo rápido.
Wonderstruck trata sobre Serena y Tyler que están en su último año de secundaria y están pasando por momentos difíciles tratando de entender quiénes son y qué quieren hacer en el futuro. El libro explora el duelo, el bullying, los desafíos de la secundaria y el autodescubrimiento.
La química entre Serena y Tyler es encantadora. Me encantó cómo la llamaba sunshine y cómo estaba perdidamente enamorado de ella.
Cuando comencé el libro lo disfruté mucho hasta que llegué al 60% del libro, en mi opinión me pareció un poco repetitivo, las referencias modernas me molestaban y lo hacían menos agradable para mí. También hubo una escena de sexo (la única) que creo que fue realmente random y pienso que no debería estar en el libro ya que comenzó a ser un romance juvenil y esa escena fue como que lanzada de la nada.
This is a very cute high school sweetheart book, easy to read and fast paced.
Wonderstruck is about Serena and Tyler who are in their last year of high school and are going through hard times trying to understand who they are and what they want to do in the future. The book explores grief, bullying, the challenges of high school and self-discovery.
The chemistry between Serena and Tyler is lovely. Loved how he called her sunshine and how he was head over heels for her.
When I started the book I was really enjoying it until I got around the 60% of the book, it felt kind of repetitive in my opinion, the modern references were annoying me and it made it less enjoyable for me. There was also one spice scene (the only one) which I feel that was really random and I think it shouldn’t be in the book since it kind of started being a YA romance and that scene was like throw in there out of nowhere 🤷🏻♀️
💌 tropes:
-friends to lovers
-brother’s best friend
-cheerleader x lacrosse player
-dual pov
-he falls first
-bucket list
-coming of age
Thank you NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for a honest review.
Español
Este es un libro muy lindo sobre high school sweetheart, fácil de leer y de ritmo rápido.
Wonderstruck trata sobre Serena y Tyler que están en su último año de secundaria y están pasando por momentos difíciles tratando de entender quiénes son y qué quieren hacer en el futuro. El libro explora el duelo, el bullying, los desafíos de la secundaria y el autodescubrimiento.
La química entre Serena y Tyler es encantadora. Me encantó cómo la llamaba sunshine y cómo estaba perdidamente enamorado de ella.
Cuando comencé el libro lo disfruté mucho hasta que llegué al 60% del libro, en mi opinión me pareció un poco repetitivo, las referencias modernas me molestaban y lo hacían menos agradable para mí. También hubo una escena de sexo (la única) que creo que fue realmente random y pienso que no debería estar en el libro ya que comenzó a ser un romance juvenil y esa escena fue como que lanzada de la nada.
July 22, 2024
“It’s much easier to keep them locked away, buried beneath layers of rationalization and denial. Because saying it out loud makes it real, and real means that it has the power to change everything.”
This teen rom-com was such a cute, heartfelt story about learning to take a risk in opening up your heart to others and learning to forgive yourself for things that happened in the past. I really enjoyed Seraphina Chen’s debut novel with her lovable characters. Serena and Tyler reminded me so much of Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before so if you like those books or movies, you’ll likely enjoy this book! 💞
I related to Serena in her quiet demeanour in front of others but extroverted ways with her friends. As an Asian girl, I totally understood her struggles with wanting to be perfect to make her family proud even though it wasn’t attainable and realistic. There’s a lot of internal pressure that she has about wanting to move on from the past and embrace being vulnerable in front of people she loves, which I identified with. She does talk quite a bit about not wanting to be abandoned even though she gave the cold shoulder a lot to Tyler and her friends when she went through bad times. Overall, I liked her character development throughout the book and I’m glad she was finally able to let her walls down.
I also felt I related to Tyler in how he never wants to be a burden on his family and how he would prioritize them over and over again. He’s very loving and selfless, especially when respecting Serena’s space even though he struggles to contain his feelings for her and the fear he has about losing his friendship with her amidst his growing feelings. I thought it was really important to show someone respecting the other’s space in a ya romance because it’s a healthy way that Tyler was able to support her whether or not he realizes it at those times.
I liked how Serena and Tyler’s relationship started off with them being strangers, friends, and then lovers. This is a slow burn romance that I really enjoyed reading and although it was based off of initial attraction from their first meeting, I think the author did a good job of showing how their relationship progressed more thoroughly and how they got to know each other on a deeper level. There is one explicit scene of spice that was a little unexpected since it was marketed as young adult; I think I would consider this closer to a contemporary romance. I think there could have been less telling of how they got close and more showing of how their little moments together added to their fondness of each other ☀️
I liked the conversation that Serena had with Cassie and how there was a mutual understanding and respect between them by the end of it. I thought it was really refreshing for her to get closure with the initial antagonist of the story since you don’t usually see that much in books. I also really enjoyed seeing Jared’s protectiveness over Serena and I would’ve loved to see more scenes of them together!
There were a few instances where the writing switched from past to present tense, but overall I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and it made for a super fast, enjoyable read that reminded me of my favourite rom-com movies! Hopefully we get to see Jared and Alli’s relationship in a future book!
Tropes: 💕
- Dual pov
- Friends to lovers
- Brother’s best friend
- Boy falls first, girl falls harder
- Cheerleader x lacrosse player
- Found family
- Slow burn romance
- Asian representation
Thank you to NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for giving me the opportunity to receive an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! 💜
This teen rom-com was such a cute, heartfelt story about learning to take a risk in opening up your heart to others and learning to forgive yourself for things that happened in the past. I really enjoyed Seraphina Chen’s debut novel with her lovable characters. Serena and Tyler reminded me so much of Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before so if you like those books or movies, you’ll likely enjoy this book! 💞
I related to Serena in her quiet demeanour in front of others but extroverted ways with her friends. As an Asian girl, I totally understood her struggles with wanting to be perfect to make her family proud even though it wasn’t attainable and realistic. There’s a lot of internal pressure that she has about wanting to move on from the past and embrace being vulnerable in front of people she loves, which I identified with. She does talk quite a bit about not wanting to be abandoned even though she gave the cold shoulder a lot to Tyler and her friends when she went through bad times. Overall, I liked her character development throughout the book and I’m glad she was finally able to let her walls down.
I also felt I related to Tyler in how he never wants to be a burden on his family and how he would prioritize them over and over again. He’s very loving and selfless, especially when respecting Serena’s space even though he struggles to contain his feelings for her and the fear he has about losing his friendship with her amidst his growing feelings. I thought it was really important to show someone respecting the other’s space in a ya romance because it’s a healthy way that Tyler was able to support her whether or not he realizes it at those times.
I liked how Serena and Tyler’s relationship started off with them being strangers, friends, and then lovers. This is a slow burn romance that I really enjoyed reading and although it was based off of initial attraction from their first meeting, I think the author did a good job of showing how their relationship progressed more thoroughly and how they got to know each other on a deeper level. There is one explicit scene of spice that was a little unexpected since it was marketed as young adult; I think I would consider this closer to a contemporary romance. I think there could have been less telling of how they got close and more showing of how their little moments together added to their fondness of each other ☀️
I liked the conversation that Serena had with Cassie and how there was a mutual understanding and respect between them by the end of it. I thought it was really refreshing for her to get closure with the initial antagonist of the story since you don’t usually see that much in books. I also really enjoyed seeing Jared’s protectiveness over Serena and I would’ve loved to see more scenes of them together!
There were a few instances where the writing switched from past to present tense, but overall I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and it made for a super fast, enjoyable read that reminded me of my favourite rom-com movies! Hopefully we get to see Jared and Alli’s relationship in a future book!
Tropes: 💕
- Dual pov
- Friends to lovers
- Brother’s best friend
- Boy falls first, girl falls harder
- Cheerleader x lacrosse player
- Found family
- Slow burn romance
- Asian representation
Thank you to NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for giving me the opportunity to receive an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! 💜
July 12, 2024
✧*̥˚ ❝𝓗𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓪𝓽 𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓽𝓼.❞ *̥˚✧
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
♥ sport romance
♥ cute romance
♥ friends to lovers
♥ slow burn
♥ brothers best friend
♥ sunshine x sunshine.
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓 ♡ 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂
Tyler and Serena are such deep, relatable characters with their own flaws and quirks. The book isn't just about their romance; it's also about them finding themselves and accepting who they are. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the way their relationship grows feels so natural and refreshing.
Tyler is completely head over heels from the get-go—new book boyfriend alert!! Serena is such a sweetheart; I just wanted to hug her at times. Her personality is so endearing, and her senior bucket list brought back memories of my own. And those cute nicknames they have for each other? Absolutely adorable!
𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
➺❥ ❝And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favorite playlist and keep on repeat.❞
➺❥ ❝You're not average, Serena. You're far more than average. You're out of this world.❞
➺❥ ❝If you haven't noticed, your looks could kill.❞
➺❥ ❝I like it when I make you laugh like that. Not when someone else does it.❞
➺❥ ❝Sometimes the past hurts us more than we realize. It might be time to confront it and move on.❞
➺❥ ❝You scare me so much, Tyler. You weren't supposed to mean this much to me. I never wanted to find love, because of everything I've gone through. But here we are. I fell for you and I'm still falling for you.❞
~ Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, Seraphina Chen, for providng me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. ~
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
♥ sport romance
♥ cute romance
♥ friends to lovers
♥ slow burn
♥ brothers best friend
♥ sunshine x sunshine.
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: 𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓 ♡ 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂
Tyler and Serena are such deep, relatable characters with their own flaws and quirks. The book isn't just about their romance; it's also about them finding themselves and accepting who they are. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the way their relationship grows feels so natural and refreshing.
Tyler is completely head over heels from the get-go—new book boyfriend alert!! Serena is such a sweetheart; I just wanted to hug her at times. Her personality is so endearing, and her senior bucket list brought back memories of my own. And those cute nicknames they have for each other? Absolutely adorable!
𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
➺❥ ❝And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favorite playlist and keep on repeat.❞
➺❥ ❝You're not average, Serena. You're far more than average. You're out of this world.❞
➺❥ ❝If you haven't noticed, your looks could kill.❞
➺❥ ❝I like it when I make you laugh like that. Not when someone else does it.❞
➺❥ ❝Sometimes the past hurts us more than we realize. It might be time to confront it and move on.❞
➺❥ ❝You scare me so much, Tyler. You weren't supposed to mean this much to me. I never wanted to find love, because of everything I've gone through. But here we are. I fell for you and I'm still falling for you.❞
~ Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, Seraphina Chen, for providng me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. ~
July 30, 2024
˗ˏˋ꒰𝟰⭐️꒱ 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
playιng: [𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒌] - [𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏]
1:35 ──────ㅇ───────── 3:47
↯
꒰🌅 ꒱𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
˗ˏˋ i saw the lovely alex’s updates about this book and saw that she got it as an arc…i was interested and wanted to know why she was obsessed with it!
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🧋꒱𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
˗ˏˋ i loved how the plot was the characters having internal conflict/growth. i was rooting for serena and tyler, not just for their relationship, but for them to get stronger as people.
˗ˏˋ the plot was also the right pace for me! the author did a wonderful job of building serena and tyler’s friendship and chemistry and it’s also a slow burn romance.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🌅 ꒱𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
˗ˏˋ 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂: i could personally relate with her on not letting people in because they might leave. she also plays with a hair tie to help with her anxiety and i have something similar for helping my cope and it was so nice to feel represented as someone who struggles with anxiety. i also liked her sunny personality and how she works at a boba shop!
˗ˏˋ 𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓: new book boyfriend! he was one of the sweetest guys i have ever seen in books. this is what all boyfriends need to aspire to be. he also has a sunny personality and was very respectful towards others. he also has anxiety and the way he helps serena with hers was so heartwarming.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🧋꒱𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆�� 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
˗ˏˋ i want more of these side characters and i wish they were featured more but i understand they weren’t the main focus of the book. they were so fun! alli and jared need their own book and if they do, i’m reading it in a heartbeat.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🌅 ꒱𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔:
˗ˏˋ this is one of the best teen romance novels i’ve ever read. it has great representation, loveable and relate characters, and cozy vibes (fall fest!!!) read this book when it comes out.
𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒃𝒖𝒛𝒛.𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒄!
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
↯
𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
► people who like friends to lovers
► he falls first and harder trope lovers
►slowburn stans
►high school romance readers
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🧋꒱𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰! 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
playιng: [𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒌] - [𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏]
1:35 ──────ㅇ───────── 3:47
↯
꒰🌅 ꒱𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
˗ˏˋ i saw the lovely alex’s updates about this book and saw that she got it as an arc…i was interested and wanted to know why she was obsessed with it!
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🧋꒱𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
˗ˏˋ i loved how the plot was the characters having internal conflict/growth. i was rooting for serena and tyler, not just for their relationship, but for them to get stronger as people.
˗ˏˋ the plot was also the right pace for me! the author did a wonderful job of building serena and tyler’s friendship and chemistry and it’s also a slow burn romance.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🌅 ꒱𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
˗ˏˋ 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒂: i could personally relate with her on not letting people in because they might leave. she also plays with a hair tie to help with her anxiety and i have something similar for helping my cope and it was so nice to feel represented as someone who struggles with anxiety. i also liked her sunny personality and how she works at a boba shop!
˗ˏˋ 𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓: new book boyfriend! he was one of the sweetest guys i have ever seen in books. this is what all boyfriends need to aspire to be. he also has a sunny personality and was very respectful towards others. he also has anxiety and the way he helps serena with hers was so heartwarming.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🧋꒱𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆�� 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
˗ˏˋ i want more of these side characters and i wish they were featured more but i understand they weren’t the main focus of the book. they were so fun! alli and jared need their own book and if they do, i’m reading it in a heartbeat.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
꒰ 🌅 ꒱𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔:
˗ˏˋ this is one of the best teen romance novels i’ve ever read. it has great representation, loveable and relate characters, and cozy vibes (fall fest!!!) read this book when it comes out.
𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒃𝒖𝒛𝒛.𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒄!
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
↯
𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
► people who like friends to lovers
► he falls first and harder trope lovers
►slowburn stans
►high school romance readers
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🧋꒱𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰! 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
July 24, 2024
3.5⭐️
"𝙄'𝙢 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮".
Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is such a cute book, really easy and digestible to read.
The story follows Serena and Tyler as they navigate the challenges of their final year of high school, including self-discovery, personal growth, and the development of a sweet and endearing relationship.
I really liked the characters as individuals. I could identify with many of their experiences and emotions, which enhanced my connection to the story and made it more enjoyable.
I was worried it was going to be an insta-love story, but it wasn't! While there was indeed an undeniable attraction between the characters since their first meeting, the development of their story was written in a genuine and tender way, where they actually took time to get to know each other, building a relationship based on trust and care. Honestly, I don't have a single bad thing to say about their relationship.💓
However, there's one thing I found odd, and that was the +18 scene. In my opinion, it shouldn't have been in the book. It was unnecessary and a bit random.
Also, I noticed some instances of repetition throughout the book. Regardless, I think it's a good book! 🫶🏽The story is charming and engaging, and I couldn't put it down.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧̃𝐨𝐥
En primer lugar, quiero agradecer a NetGalley y Seraphina Chen por el ARC a cambio de mi opinión honesta.
Este es un libro tan lindo, realmente fácil y digerible de leer.
La historia sigue a Serena y Tyler mientras navegan por los desafíos de su último año de preparatoria, incluido el autodescubrimiento, el crecimiento personal y el desarrollo de una relación muy linda.
Me gustaron mucho los personajes individualmente. Pude identificarme con muchas de sus experiencias y emociones, lo que mejoró mi conexión con la historia y la hizo más agradable.
Me preocupaba que fuera una historia de insta-love, ¡pero no lo fue! Si bien hubo una atracción innegable entre los personajes desde su primer encuentro, el desarrollo de su historia fue escrito de una manera genuina y tierna, donde realmente se tomaron el tiempo para conocerse, construyendo una relación basada en la confianza y el cuidado. Honestamente, no tengo nada malo que decir sobre su relación.💓
Sin embargo, hay una cosa que encontré extraña, y esa fue la escena +18. En mi opinión, no debería haber estado en el libro. Era innecesario y un poco random.
Además, noté algunos casos de repetición a lo largo del libro. De todos modos, creo que es un buen libro! 🫶🏽La historia es encantadora y atractiva, y no pude dejar de leer el libro.
"𝙄'𝙢 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮".
Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is such a cute book, really easy and digestible to read.
The story follows Serena and Tyler as they navigate the challenges of their final year of high school, including self-discovery, personal growth, and the development of a sweet and endearing relationship.
I really liked the characters as individuals. I could identify with many of their experiences and emotions, which enhanced my connection to the story and made it more enjoyable.
I was worried it was going to be an insta-love story, but it wasn't! While there was indeed an undeniable attraction between the characters since their first meeting, the development of their story was written in a genuine and tender way, where they actually took time to get to know each other, building a relationship based on trust and care. Honestly, I don't have a single bad thing to say about their relationship.💓
However, there's one thing I found odd, and that was the +18 scene. In my opinion, it shouldn't have been in the book. It was unnecessary and a bit random.
Also, I noticed some instances of repetition throughout the book. Regardless, I think it's a good book! 🫶🏽The story is charming and engaging, and I couldn't put it down.
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧̃𝐨𝐥
En primer lugar, quiero agradecer a NetGalley y Seraphina Chen por el ARC a cambio de mi opinión honesta.
Este es un libro tan lindo, realmente fácil y digerible de leer.
La historia sigue a Serena y Tyler mientras navegan por los desafíos de su último año de preparatoria, incluido el autodescubrimiento, el crecimiento personal y el desarrollo de una relación muy linda.
Me gustaron mucho los personajes individualmente. Pude identificarme con muchas de sus experiencias y emociones, lo que mejoró mi conexión con la historia y la hizo más agradable.
Me preocupaba que fuera una historia de insta-love, ¡pero no lo fue! Si bien hubo una atracción innegable entre los personajes desde su primer encuentro, el desarrollo de su historia fue escrito de una manera genuina y tierna, donde realmente se tomaron el tiempo para conocerse, construyendo una relación basada en la confianza y el cuidado. Honestamente, no tengo nada malo que decir sobre su relación.💓
Sin embargo, hay una cosa que encontré extraña, y esa fue la escena +18. En mi opinión, no debería haber estado en el libro. Era innecesario y un poco random.
Además, noté algunos casos de repetición a lo largo del libro. De todos modos, creo que es un buen libro! 🫶🏽La historia es encantadora y atractiva, y no pude dejar de leer el libro.
July 11, 2024
"And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favourite playlist and keep on repeat"
Firstly, thank you so much to Netgalley and Seraphina for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely LOVED this book for about a million different reasons, but my review would be the length of a book if I listed all of them, so I'm going to list a few.
Story:
If you are looking for a cute, easy to read, fluffy, fast-paced romance, Wonderstruck is for you. From the first page, the book had me hooked, I couldn't put it down. The flow of the storyline was amazing, the plot line was consistent and smooth. I was literally either giggling or blushing almost that entire read, it was just so cute. This book is also a 'teen' romance (however it is recommended for 18+), and all of the relevant book, character and song references through the book had me DEAD. AND, I was craving egg rolls and boba that entire book. It was just so good and I can't wait for release day so I can grab this book in paperback for my shelf!!
Characters:
Tyler and Serena both have depth to their character, both flawed in one way or another. I loved how this book wasn't only focusing on a romantic progression between the characters, but an individual self-acceptance/discovery story. The chemistry between Tyler and Serena was just amazing, and the progression of their story just felt so natural and realistic, which was honestly so refreshing to read. AND THE NICKNAMES OMG AHHHHHH!!
Tyler: We LOVE a man who is absolutely whipped from page 1. New book boyfriend alert!!
Serena: Such a sweetheart, there were times through the book where I just wanted to give her a hug. I loved her personality so so much, especially the depth to her character. And her little senior bucket list just reminded me of my own senior bucket list, which was so sweet.
Tropes:
- dual pov
- friends to lovers
- brother's best friend
- coming of age
- she's his tutor
- he falls first and harder
- sunshine x sunshine
Quotes:
yes, my whole clippings section on my kindle is FILLED with Wonderstruck quotes, but here are a few:
- "Her laugh is infectious, her smile is so genuine. And those damn coffee-brown eyes."
- "Maybe I'm thinking with my heart and not my brain. Maybe I'm not thinking at all"
- "I'm tired of not being the main character in my own story"
- "I'm an idiot sandwich"
- "I have to admit, I'm finding it hard to concentrate with you looking like that"
- "You both look at each other a little too long to be just friends."
I'll be needing Jared and Alli's story real soon too!
Firstly, thank you so much to Netgalley and Seraphina for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely LOVED this book for about a million different reasons, but my review would be the length of a book if I listed all of them, so I'm going to list a few.
Story:
If you are looking for a cute, easy to read, fluffy, fast-paced romance, Wonderstruck is for you. From the first page, the book had me hooked, I couldn't put it down. The flow of the storyline was amazing, the plot line was consistent and smooth. I was literally either giggling or blushing almost that entire read, it was just so cute. This book is also a 'teen' romance (however it is recommended for 18+), and all of the relevant book, character and song references through the book had me DEAD. AND, I was craving egg rolls and boba that entire book. It was just so good and I can't wait for release day so I can grab this book in paperback for my shelf!!
Characters:
Tyler and Serena both have depth to their character, both flawed in one way or another. I loved how this book wasn't only focusing on a romantic progression between the characters, but an individual self-acceptance/discovery story. The chemistry between Tyler and Serena was just amazing, and the progression of their story just felt so natural and realistic, which was honestly so refreshing to read. AND THE NICKNAMES OMG AHHHHHH!!
Tyler: We LOVE a man who is absolutely whipped from page 1. New book boyfriend alert!!
Serena: Such a sweetheart, there were times through the book where I just wanted to give her a hug. I loved her personality so so much, especially the depth to her character. And her little senior bucket list just reminded me of my own senior bucket list, which was so sweet.
Tropes:
- dual pov
- friends to lovers
- brother's best friend
- coming of age
- she's his tutor
- he falls first and harder
- sunshine x sunshine
Quotes:
yes, my whole clippings section on my kindle is FILLED with Wonderstruck quotes, but here are a few:
- "Her laugh is infectious, her smile is so genuine. And those damn coffee-brown eyes."
- "Maybe I'm thinking with my heart and not my brain. Maybe I'm not thinking at all"
- "I'm tired of not being the main character in my own story"
- "I'm an idiot sandwich"
- "I have to admit, I'm finding it hard to concentrate with you looking like that"
- "You both look at each other a little too long to be just friends."
I'll be needing Jared and Alli's story real soon too!
July 11, 2024
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
I really enjoyed everything in this book, the romance, the side stories, all of Serena’s history.
Tyler is defo one of my book bfs now. Also the nicknames 💗💗💗
I hope there will be a book abt her Ali and Jared.
Also all of the references to some of my fav books and Taylor swift and other singers was also amazing.
I really enjoyed everything in this book, the romance, the side stories, all of Serena’s history.
Tyler is defo one of my book bfs now. Also the nicknames 💗💗💗
I hope there will be a book abt her Ali and Jared.
Also all of the references to some of my fav books and Taylor swift and other singers was also amazing.
July 25, 2024
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Romance
Read if you love the following tropes 📋:
- Friends to Lovers
- Brother's Best Friend
- Dual POV
- Cheerleader/Tutor x Lacrosse
Thank you NetGalley & Seraphina Chen for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wonderstruck follows two high school seniors, Serena and Tyler, both navigating their own personal grief.
Serena, homeschooled for four years, decides to conquer her fears and attend Skyline High School for her senior year. Where she meets, Tyler Westman, Skyline High lacrosse player & Thai green tea lover!
In the first half of Wonderstruck, I truly enjoyed the chemistry between Serena and Tyler, as well as her friendship with Alli.
However, the second half of the book felt extremely repetitive, as if the same conversations were on loop.
The pace and smoothness of the story also stood out to me, as I felt the transitions between scenes were abrupt. The dialogue, with its modern-day references, had me cringing at times.
Regardless, I believe this is a good beginner book for anyone who wishes to read or escape the horrors of a reading slump.
Genre: Romance
Read if you love the following tropes 📋:
- Friends to Lovers
- Brother's Best Friend
- Dual POV
- Cheerleader/Tutor x Lacrosse
Thank you NetGalley & Seraphina Chen for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wonderstruck follows two high school seniors, Serena and Tyler, both navigating their own personal grief.
Serena, homeschooled for four years, decides to conquer her fears and attend Skyline High School for her senior year. Where she meets, Tyler Westman, Skyline High lacrosse player & Thai green tea lover!
In the first half of Wonderstruck, I truly enjoyed the chemistry between Serena and Tyler, as well as her friendship with Alli.
However, the second half of the book felt extremely repetitive, as if the same conversations were on loop.
The pace and smoothness of the story also stood out to me, as I felt the transitions between scenes were abrupt. The dialogue, with its modern-day references, had me cringing at times.
Regardless, I believe this is a good beginner book for anyone who wishes to read or escape the horrors of a reading slump.
July 17, 2024
“And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favorite playlist and keep on repeat.”
This book is absolutely adorable! It’s the first book in a WHILE that has caught my attention and kept it. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time! Tyler is such a golden retriever boyfriend, loved him so much. 🥹 Definitely will be buying all future books from this author!!
~Thank you to Netgalley and Seraphina Chen for an E-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ~
This book is absolutely adorable! It’s the first book in a WHILE that has caught my attention and kept it. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time! Tyler is such a golden retriever boyfriend, loved him so much. 🥹 Definitely will be buying all future books from this author!!
~Thank you to Netgalley and Seraphina Chen for an E-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ~
July 10, 2024
This is so cute , a classic high school romance , very easy to read ( i did it in 2/3 hours with breaks ) . Love tyler and serena and now i want to eat some egg rolls 🤫
August 5, 2024
This was such a comfort and cute read ! For a debut novel I think it’s amazing ! The dynamic between the main characters is so easy and fluid, loved Serena and Tyler they are so cute.
I’m giving 4 stars because I felt like the ending was beat rushed even though it tied everything into place !
I hope to see a sequel about Jared and Alli !
Congratulations Seraphina !
I’m giving 4 stars because I felt like the ending was beat rushed even though it tied everything into place !
I hope to see a sequel about Jared and Alli !
Congratulations Seraphina !
July 15, 2024
"Wonderstruck" by Seraphina Chen is a story about a homeschooled girl who decides to attend high school for her senior year. She faces obstacles and possibly finds love along the way. The book showcases great character development with complex yet clear storylines and a super cute love story that will make you smile, laugh, and get emotional.
I loved this book for many reasons. It tackles topics like anxiety, grief, and growing up without tiptoeing around them. The characters are complex individuals with deep emotions, including the antagonists, showing that no one is truly terrible. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a YA novel about growing up and becoming who you are meant to be.
Things I loved:
- The Taylor Swift references
- The fact that the FMC is a reader and kept making bookish references
- The characters' ability to grow.
- Boba. Just that. Boba.
Tropes:
- He falls first
- Friends to Lovers
- Sports Romance
PS. I needed Jared and Alli's story ASAP.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.*
I loved this book for many reasons. It tackles topics like anxiety, grief, and growing up without tiptoeing around them. The characters are complex individuals with deep emotions, including the antagonists, showing that no one is truly terrible. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a YA novel about growing up and becoming who you are meant to be.
Things I loved:
- The Taylor Swift references
- The fact that the FMC is a reader and kept making bookish references
- The characters' ability to grow.
- Boba. Just that. Boba.
Tropes:
- He falls first
- Friends to Lovers
- Sports Romance
PS. I needed Jared and Alli's story ASAP.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.*
July 29, 2024
3.25 ☆
thank you netgalley for this arc 💗
⤿ the plot: wonderstruck follows serena and tyler, two seniors in high school who are trying to navigate through personal struggles and challenges. this book explores topics like grief, bullying, self discovery, and personal growth.
i want to start by saying that at first, i really enjoyed the book! it was fast paced and the characters were very lovable, especially tyler. it wasn’t giving 5 star feelings but it was still really enjoyable. although, after some time, it started to get repetitive and some scenes just didn’t make sense to me, making me lose interest. don’t get me wrong though, i still had a fun time! the chemistry between tyler and seren was exquisite! and tyler was literally so sweet and caring!! 💗
⤿ ”you’re my ray of sunshine.”
another thing i didn’t quite enjoy was the many modern references that were mentioned. it didn’t take away anything from the book, but… i would’ve appreciated it if their were less of them mentioned.
also, there was an 18+ scene in the book. i feel like it was weird and unnecessary. and if im being honest, quite unexpected, especially considering the book is marketed as ya.
overall, i had such a fun time reading the book and i’d definitely recommend it to those looking for a quick romance read! just don’t go into it with high expectations! it is a debut novel after all 🫶🏻💗
thank you netgalley for this arc 💗
⤿ the plot: wonderstruck follows serena and tyler, two seniors in high school who are trying to navigate through personal struggles and challenges. this book explores topics like grief, bullying, self discovery, and personal growth.
i want to start by saying that at first, i really enjoyed the book! it was fast paced and the characters were very lovable, especially tyler. it wasn’t giving 5 star feelings but it was still really enjoyable. although, after some time, it started to get repetitive and some scenes just didn’t make sense to me, making me lose interest. don’t get me wrong though, i still had a fun time! the chemistry between tyler and seren was exquisite! and tyler was literally so sweet and caring!! 💗
⤿ ”you’re my ray of sunshine.”
another thing i didn’t quite enjoy was the many modern references that were mentioned. it didn’t take away anything from the book, but… i would’ve appreciated it if their were less of them mentioned.
also, there was an 18+ scene in the book. i feel like it was weird and unnecessary. and if im being honest, quite unexpected, especially considering the book is marketed as ya.
overall, i had such a fun time reading the book and i’d definitely recommend it to those looking for a quick romance read! just don’t go into it with high expectations! it is a debut novel after all 🫶🏻💗
July 16, 2024
Firstly, thank you so much Netgalley and Seraphina for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book.
•
As soon as I started it, I knew I was gonna enjoy this book a lot. The movies, books and song references were really nice, and the book even had a playlist at the beginning. I really loved the nickname that they had for each other. Serena's growth and development was impressive. This book isn’t just about their romance but also about them figuring out themselves. I absolutely adored Tyler and how supportive and loving he was towards Serena. Their relationship was so sweet. The friendships in this book were so strong and were also an integral part of it. Reading this book really made me crave boba tea and egg rolls.
This book although a teen romance is 18+. There was a spice scene in the book that could be skipped if that’s not your vibe. I sometimes felt that some chapters ended a bit abruptly, and smoother transitions could have been made when the scene changed in the same chapter, but that's just me nitpicking. Overall, I had a lovely time reading it.
•
Tropes:
dual pov
he falls first and harder
she's his tutor
friends to lovers
cheerleader x lacrosse player
brother’s friend
•
As soon as I started it, I knew I was gonna enjoy this book a lot. The movies, books and song references were really nice, and the book even had a playlist at the beginning. I really loved the nickname that they had for each other. Serena's growth and development was impressive. This book isn’t just about their romance but also about them figuring out themselves. I absolutely adored Tyler and how supportive and loving he was towards Serena. Their relationship was so sweet. The friendships in this book were so strong and were also an integral part of it. Reading this book really made me crave boba tea and egg rolls.
This book although a teen romance is 18+. There was a spice scene in the book that could be skipped if that’s not your vibe. I sometimes felt that some chapters ended a bit abruptly, and smoother transitions could have been made when the scene changed in the same chapter, but that's just me nitpicking. Overall, I had a lovely time reading it.
•
Tropes:
dual pov
he falls first and harder
she's his tutor
friends to lovers
cheerleader x lacrosse player
brother’s friend
July 21, 2024
Wonderstruck by Seraphina Chen is the author's debut novel, but is nothing short of amazing. Most of the time, with an author's first book you can tell by the writing that it is the first but with Wonderstruck that was not the case.
Wonderstruck follows Serena as she begins her senior year of high school and the first year that she hasn't been homeschooled since middle school. One day while working a shift at the coffee shop she works at, Tyler Westman walks through the door and orders the drink that Serena has come up with on the menu, which almost no one orders. They begin to interact with each other, finding themselves at the same places until she starts her senior year at the high school where he is deemed the "golden boy" of the school.
When she begins tutoring him in Math and they begin to spend even more time together, things begin to change between them. Find out what happens between them next by reading this book by Seraphina Chen!
Release date: August 2nd, 2024
Tropes:
- cheerleader x lacrosse player
- he fell first
- she tutors him
- friends to lovers
- brothers best friend
- dual pov
- high school romance
Thank you to Netgalley and Seraphina for providing me with an ARC of this book and I can not wait to read more by this author!
Wonderstruck follows Serena as she begins her senior year of high school and the first year that she hasn't been homeschooled since middle school. One day while working a shift at the coffee shop she works at, Tyler Westman walks through the door and orders the drink that Serena has come up with on the menu, which almost no one orders. They begin to interact with each other, finding themselves at the same places until she starts her senior year at the high school where he is deemed the "golden boy" of the school.
When she begins tutoring him in Math and they begin to spend even more time together, things begin to change between them. Find out what happens between them next by reading this book by Seraphina Chen!
Release date: August 2nd, 2024
Tropes:
- cheerleader x lacrosse player
- he fell first
- she tutors him
- friends to lovers
- brothers best friend
- dual pov
- high school romance
Thank you to Netgalley and Seraphina for providing me with an ARC of this book and I can not wait to read more by this author!
July 16, 2024
Cozy book+cozy evening = five stars
Serena was always cautious when she was younger. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it kept her safe from the outside world and protected her from revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she prepares for her senior year at Skyline High School, Serena is set on living her life for herself. She has no idea that high school isn’t always like the movies.
Tyler Westman found high school pretty easy up until his senior year, when he had to juggle responsibilities at home and school. On top of lacrosse, maintaining friendships, caring for his sister and improving his grades for college applications, it’s becoming an endless juggling act. But there's more to him than meets the eye. He's got a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that comes with it. When he meets Serena, a girl with a strong personality, he'll find himself drawn to her like never before.
As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she'll start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he'll find there's more to her than meets the eye.
I like this story. Its funny, cozy and a little bit spice. Serena is cute and Tylor is true golden retriver. Its Sraphina Chen's debute novel and she did her job perfect.
Thank Netgalley for providing ARC of this book.
Serena was always cautious when she was younger. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it kept her safe from the outside world and protected her from revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she prepares for her senior year at Skyline High School, Serena is set on living her life for herself. She has no idea that high school isn’t always like the movies.
Tyler Westman found high school pretty easy up until his senior year, when he had to juggle responsibilities at home and school. On top of lacrosse, maintaining friendships, caring for his sister and improving his grades for college applications, it’s becoming an endless juggling act. But there's more to him than meets the eye. He's got a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that comes with it. When he meets Serena, a girl with a strong personality, he'll find himself drawn to her like never before.
As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she'll start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he'll find there's more to her than meets the eye.
I like this story. Its funny, cozy and a little bit spice. Serena is cute and Tylor is true golden retriver. Its Sraphina Chen's debute novel and she did her job perfect.
Thank Netgalley for providing ARC of this book.
July 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this book from the beginning. It has everything you need in a romance book, friends to lovers, brothers best friend, sports romance. The pace was just right, there was time to bond with the characters without anything being skipped! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book
July 13, 2024
This was actually very cute. I like dhow they got to know each other, and their cute dates. I liked them so much and the third act had me screaming. I thought it was cute. I enjoyed this a lot.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 4, 2025
I loved this book! It was so cute; it had me giggling and blushing a lot. I really loved the characters. Serena was particularly relatable for me in her desire to never let anyone down. And Tyler? He's the cutest! We love an obsessed love interest. All of their interactions were super cute, and I really couldn't get enough. It's a cute, fluffy romance that I absolutely devoured.
I also appreciated how Tyler and Serena both had their character development. It reminded me a lot of To All the Boys I've Loved Before (my favvvv romcom) I'd recommend this book if you like fluffy, cute romances!
Thank you NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for the ARC.
I also appreciated how Tyler and Serena both had their character development. It reminded me a lot of To All the Boys I've Loved Before (my favvvv romcom) I'd recommend this book if you like fluffy, cute romances!
Thank you NetGalley and Seraphina Chen for the ARC.
September 8, 2024
ARC REVIEW
love love loved this book Serena and Tyler are so cute!! Like man knew what he wanted and got it, he's such a green flag I love how they helped each other out with their own struggles the slow burn with the friends to lovers is gonna get me everytime and y'all know i love when the couples have nicknames especially cute ones 😩
I was literally giggling and crying (her mommy issues go crazy)
I just wanna give her a hug, she deserves the world!
Tyler is everything (going on my book bf list)
I adored this book and characters in it and I can't wait for you guys to read it
love love loved this book Serena and Tyler are so cute!! Like man knew what he wanted and got it, he's such a green flag I love how they helped each other out with their own struggles the slow burn with the friends to lovers is gonna get me everytime and y'all know i love when the couples have nicknames especially cute ones 😩
I was literally giggling and crying (her mommy issues go crazy)
I just wanna give her a hug, she deserves the world!
Tyler is everything (going on my book bf list)
I adored this book and characters in it and I can't wait for you guys to read it
July 29, 2024
first, I want to thank the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC of this book.
I went into this with high expectations, as I had seen some great reviews online. Sadly, I was greatly disappointed.
I gave this novel 2.5 out of 5 stars for the following reasons:
1. The Writing
I am so so sorry but the writing just was not it for me. It did not feel smooth in any way whatsoever. I regularly stumbled across phrasing that just stopped my reading flow.
2. The Grammar
Similarly to point number 1, it just stopped my reading flow. I am not an expert on english grammar, as it is not my native language, but I noticed a lot of sentences that were just not correct. This is obviously not the authors fault alone! I just think more people should have proofread this before publishing it.
3. The mmc (Tyler)
He is just such a red flag. Let me show why with some of my *favourite* quotes...
""More like surprised to see someone else who appreciates quiet corners at these things. Most girls are usually taking selfies or trying to play beer pong.”"
you might think, "what is wrong with this sentence, he just doesn't like beer pong". WRONG! He is trying to compliment our main girl, but he apparently is incapable of doing that without belittling other women!
"she looks so… cute being angry.”
NO EWW DO NOT DISCREDIT HER FEELINGS!!!!
“It's clear she's feeling uneasy, but I'm here with her, and that's all that matters.”
ONCE AGAIN her feelings are ignored!!!
“I have this urge to keep her by my side so the world knows she's with me.”
just no.
4. The absolute lack of feelings
I felt nothing. I did not feel anything for the main characters, not even pity at their backstories. And the romance had some cute scenes in theory, but they were just written so poorly, that I did not get butterflies once. I guess this is technically just an extension of point 1.
5. The side characters
I swear I do not know anything about these people. It is just like: This is Alli. Her role is best friend. She maybe has a relationship with someone but we don't really care. She has no backstory and no personality except from weird slang and one hobby.
What I will say however is that I liked the premise of this book. The story itself was cute, just executed really poorly. I feel like most of this review could have been avoided by more proofreading.
my detailed commentary of this story can be found in my goodreads reading activity!
This review will, as always, be available on Goodreads, NetGalley and Storygraph!
I will not be posting about this on my Instagram, as I choose not to post about books I rated less than 3.5 out of 5.
I went into this with high expectations, as I had seen some great reviews online. Sadly, I was greatly disappointed.
I gave this novel 2.5 out of 5 stars for the following reasons:
1. The Writing
I am so so sorry but the writing just was not it for me. It did not feel smooth in any way whatsoever. I regularly stumbled across phrasing that just stopped my reading flow.
2. The Grammar
Similarly to point number 1, it just stopped my reading flow. I am not an expert on english grammar, as it is not my native language, but I noticed a lot of sentences that were just not correct. This is obviously not the authors fault alone! I just think more people should have proofread this before publishing it.
3. The mmc (Tyler)
He is just such a red flag. Let me show why with some of my *favourite* quotes...
""More like surprised to see someone else who appreciates quiet corners at these things. Most girls are usually taking selfies or trying to play beer pong.”"
you might think, "what is wrong with this sentence, he just doesn't like beer pong". WRONG! He is trying to compliment our main girl, but he apparently is incapable of doing that without belittling other women!
"she looks so… cute being angry.”
NO EWW DO NOT DISCREDIT HER FEELINGS!!!!
“It's clear she's feeling uneasy, but I'm here with her, and that's all that matters.”
ONCE AGAIN her feelings are ignored!!!
“I have this urge to keep her by my side so the world knows she's with me.”
just no.
4. The absolute lack of feelings
I felt nothing. I did not feel anything for the main characters, not even pity at their backstories. And the romance had some cute scenes in theory, but they were just written so poorly, that I did not get butterflies once. I guess this is technically just an extension of point 1.
5. The side characters
I swear I do not know anything about these people. It is just like: This is Alli. Her role is best friend. She maybe has a relationship with someone but we don't really care. She has no backstory and no personality except from weird slang and one hobby.
What I will say however is that I liked the premise of this book. The story itself was cute, just executed really poorly. I feel like most of this review could have been avoided by more proofreading.
my detailed commentary of this story can be found in my goodreads reading activity!
This review will, as always, be available on Goodreads, NetGalley and Storygraph!
I will not be posting about this on my Instagram, as I choose not to post about books I rated less than 3.5 out of 5.
May 17, 2025
Honestly, I just couldn't get into this one, I did try though. I didn't hate it by any means, although I feel like this review is going to come across as just that, I just have a few grievances that I want to air. I felt that the characters weren't teenagers because all of their conversations just sounded like adults talking but I wouldn't say it was mature conversations, most of them just made me downright cringe. They made a big deal out of Tyler caring for his little sister to help his dad out but I think I can count on one hand how many times she was actually mentioned and can count on two fingers every time she was actually in a scene. It was two, in case you're wondering. Tyler came off as extremely controlling and weird, and I REALLY didn't like how obsessive and stalkerish he was towards Serena. He would have driven me CRAZY if he was my boyfriend like give me some air! What was with mentioning their eye color like every few pages? I get it, hers are coffee brown and his are blue. Hers were even called "coffee brown orbs" at some point. The entire thing was dated because they mentioned Tik Tok and other things that are probably not going to be very relevant 10-15 years from now. The sex scene had me like HUH cause I would never have in a million years expected that in this book and boy let me tell you it was insanely awkward and felt SO spontaneous that it almost didn't make sense. I kept getting confused on which character was which because Serena and Tyler weren't written differently enough that when I started a new chapter, I had to remind myself who was even talking. It feels less like a romance that I can relate to and more like watching your little sister interact with her boyfriend. I'd say because it's young adult that its not my age demographic but I have read plenty of young adult books that aren't this cringey. Both characters claim to have anxiety but neither of them really act like it more than just getting nervous at something. They don't have debilitating anxiety that keeps them from going to parties or running all around town like I know parents aren't letting their teenagers do now. The last thing I have to say is that the fights were super irritating. I felt that no one had any reason to ever be upset at the other person and that they went from 0-60 in a second, also for no reason. I'm not going to say I don't recommend it because if I was a teenager, I'm not sure if I'd be able to look past everything that I had written down that bothered me but if you're looking for a wholesome young adult novel, I wouldn't recommend this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this eARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this eARC.
July 26, 2024
Book Review
Book Title-> Wonderstruck
Release date-> August 2024
Author-> Seraphina chen
Tropes-> Friends to lovers, Brother's best friend, bucket list, teen love story, high school romance, sunshine mmc × sunshine fmc, cheerleading FMC, dual POV, slowburn romance, she's his tutor
The book is good with a simple plot and beautiful scenes.
Serena Inthavong, the fmc joins high school after years of being home schooled. She decides to live her life for herself and makes a bucket list to complete before her school ends.
Tyler, the mmc decides to stay away from parties, love and relationships after his breakup. He is so hard on himself while trying to be the responsible son and best brother.
After serena and tyler meet for the first time, they both feel a pull that brings them close to each other no matter how hard they try to suppress their feelings. Tyler is the first one to realize his feelings and eventually serena admits her feelings too despite of her having abandonment issues. Ofcourse yes cause it would be almost impossible to not fall in love with the boy who helps her to tick every single wish from her bucket list.
Tyler is the perfect sunshine mmc and his nickname for Serena is cute.
But at some scenes i felt the description or placement a little odd. Like the lake scene where they start kissing and making out, it felt like a rush of things while reading. And there are few more scenes where i felt the same way. But considering this is authors debut novel, she did a very good job to bring the life to the story.
I enjoyed reading the book as i'm in search of simple plots with no high drama. I liked taylor swift references, they are cute.
Dear Author,
Congrats on your first book. The story, description, scenes, emotions are all very good. I'm definitely gonna add Tyler in to my book boyfriends list (like who wouldn't love a boy who listens to Taylor Swift). And the funny thing is i tried Thai green tea and i actually liked it. Hoping to read more books written by you in the future.
All the best.
If you're looking for a high school romance with a bit touch of sports romance, Brother's best friend tropes, grab this book and get in to the story.
Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz for the book arc.
Book Title-> Wonderstruck
Release date-> August 2024
Author-> Seraphina chen
Tropes-> Friends to lovers, Brother's best friend, bucket list, teen love story, high school romance, sunshine mmc × sunshine fmc, cheerleading FMC, dual POV, slowburn romance, she's his tutor
The book is good with a simple plot and beautiful scenes.
Serena Inthavong, the fmc joins high school after years of being home schooled. She decides to live her life for herself and makes a bucket list to complete before her school ends.
Tyler, the mmc decides to stay away from parties, love and relationships after his breakup. He is so hard on himself while trying to be the responsible son and best brother.
After serena and tyler meet for the first time, they both feel a pull that brings them close to each other no matter how hard they try to suppress their feelings. Tyler is the first one to realize his feelings and eventually serena admits her feelings too despite of her having abandonment issues. Ofcourse yes cause it would be almost impossible to not fall in love with the boy who helps her to tick every single wish from her bucket list.
Tyler is the perfect sunshine mmc and his nickname for Serena is cute.
But at some scenes i felt the description or placement a little odd. Like the lake scene where they start kissing and making out, it felt like a rush of things while reading. And there are few more scenes where i felt the same way. But considering this is authors debut novel, she did a very good job to bring the life to the story.
I enjoyed reading the book as i'm in search of simple plots with no high drama. I liked taylor swift references, they are cute.
Dear Author,
Congrats on your first book. The story, description, scenes, emotions are all very good. I'm definitely gonna add Tyler in to my book boyfriends list (like who wouldn't love a boy who listens to Taylor Swift). And the funny thing is i tried Thai green tea and i actually liked it. Hoping to read more books written by you in the future.
All the best.
If you're looking for a high school romance with a bit touch of sports romance, Brother's best friend tropes, grab this book and get in to the story.
Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz for the book arc.
July 15, 2024
The story is about Serena Inthavong and Tylor Westman, both high school seniors, starting to arrange everything for new experiences. Serena has been homeschooled since she was 13 and now, at her father's wish, wants to experience the outside world. Tylor, the Skyline lacrosse captain, is trying to keep his grades up for college and has gone on a dating hiatus to avoid distractions. However, after meeting Serena, things began to change.
The book is set in the teenage years, a formative time when personalities and feelings develop significantly. It describes the evolution of the teenage mind toward maturity, highlighting how the characters start to prioritize their lives more seriously. Serena hasn't had the typical teenage experience. Her mother left, and her life circumstances have made her a complete introvert. However, she decides to participate in her last year of high school to experience life more fully. Tylor, on the other hand, has experienced every stage of high school life and now, in his senior year, is focused on his future and family.
The book shows that balance is essential, especially when preparing for adulthood. While Serena wants to experience fun times, Tylor is focused on getting serious. The book’s fast pace is suitable for a story about teenagers, with Serena and Tylors’s attraction beginning from their first encounter.
The book’s strength lies in its accurate description of 18- and 19-year-olds' concerns, which can resonate even with older readers. The additional pictures from high school events add a nostalgic touch. However, some aspects might seem trivial to older readers, which could make the book less engaging for them. I rate the book 3 out of 5 and its excitement level at 2 out of 5. If you crave a trip down memory lane, particularly with a focus on cheerleaders and high school life, this book is a good choice.
The book is set in the teenage years, a formative time when personalities and feelings develop significantly. It describes the evolution of the teenage mind toward maturity, highlighting how the characters start to prioritize their lives more seriously. Serena hasn't had the typical teenage experience. Her mother left, and her life circumstances have made her a complete introvert. However, she decides to participate in her last year of high school to experience life more fully. Tylor, on the other hand, has experienced every stage of high school life and now, in his senior year, is focused on his future and family.
The book shows that balance is essential, especially when preparing for adulthood. While Serena wants to experience fun times, Tylor is focused on getting serious. The book’s fast pace is suitable for a story about teenagers, with Serena and Tylors’s attraction beginning from their first encounter.
The book’s strength lies in its accurate description of 18- and 19-year-olds' concerns, which can resonate even with older readers. The additional pictures from high school events add a nostalgic touch. However, some aspects might seem trivial to older readers, which could make the book less engaging for them. I rate the book 3 out of 5 and its excitement level at 2 out of 5. If you crave a trip down memory lane, particularly with a focus on cheerleaders and high school life, this book is a good choice.
July 29, 2024
First of all – I Love the dedication. It’s not often that a dedication can set the tone for a book, but Seraphina Chen’s heartfelt note at the beginning of "Wonderstruck" does just that, hinting at the warmth and charm to come.
The best way to describe this book is cute. It’s an absolute swoon-fest, a feel-good YA romance that left me with a smile that lasted long after I finished the last page. Tyler, the leading man, is the epitome of a cinnamon roll character. His sweet demeanor and unique flirtatious style make him utterly irresistible. Despite being the big man on campus, Tyler brings an unpretentious energy to the story, proving that sometimes, the quietest hearts hold the most fire.
Chen's strength lies in her character depth. The devil is indeed in the details, and this book is brimming with them. Serena and Tyler are crafted with such nuance and care that they leap off the page and into reality. Their interactions and growth feel authentic, making their romance even more endearing.
Speaking of character development, let’s not forget the side characters, who are nothing short of phenomenal. From the quintessential best friend who’s always there to offer support and sage advice, to the protective brother with a heart of gold, and the long-past nemesis who adds a touch of drama, each character enriches the story. Their presence enhances the main narrative, creating a vibrant, well-rounded world.
If you’re a fan of the cinnamon roll leading lad with a perfect “he falls first” trope and are looking for a feel-good high school romance sprinkled with some spectacular cheer drama, then "Wonderstruck" is definitely the book for you. Seraphina Chen’s latest is a delightful read that wraps you in its warmth and leaves you eagerly awaiting her next story.
Thanks to BookBuzz.net via NetGalley for the ARC.
The best way to describe this book is cute. It’s an absolute swoon-fest, a feel-good YA romance that left me with a smile that lasted long after I finished the last page. Tyler, the leading man, is the epitome of a cinnamon roll character. His sweet demeanor and unique flirtatious style make him utterly irresistible. Despite being the big man on campus, Tyler brings an unpretentious energy to the story, proving that sometimes, the quietest hearts hold the most fire.
Chen's strength lies in her character depth. The devil is indeed in the details, and this book is brimming with them. Serena and Tyler are crafted with such nuance and care that they leap off the page and into reality. Their interactions and growth feel authentic, making their romance even more endearing.
Speaking of character development, let’s not forget the side characters, who are nothing short of phenomenal. From the quintessential best friend who’s always there to offer support and sage advice, to the protective brother with a heart of gold, and the long-past nemesis who adds a touch of drama, each character enriches the story. Their presence enhances the main narrative, creating a vibrant, well-rounded world.
If you’re a fan of the cinnamon roll leading lad with a perfect “he falls first” trope and are looking for a feel-good high school romance sprinkled with some spectacular cheer drama, then "Wonderstruck" is definitely the book for you. Seraphina Chen’s latest is a delightful read that wraps you in its warmth and leaves you eagerly awaiting her next story.
Thanks to BookBuzz.net via NetGalley for the ARC.
January 27, 2025
Playing it safe was Serena Inthavong's default mode for years – her emotional armour against a world that had dealt her some hard knocks. But senior year at Skyline High is about to change all that. She's ready to tear up her own rulebook, though she's about to discover that real life rarely follows the neat plot points of those paperback romances gathering dust on her bookshelf.
Between an unexpected return to her old cheerleading squad (talk about opening old wounds) and navigating hallways more dramatic than a daytime soap opera, Serena's got her hands full. And then there's Tyler Westman – the kind of guy who made high school look effortless until reality came knocking his senior year.
Poor Tyler's juggling more balls than a circus performer: lacrosse practice, a sister who needs him, friendships threatening to slip through his fingers, and the dreaded college applications. Sure, he's got the golden boy thing down pat, but lately he's wondering if there's more to life than being everybody's favourite highlight reel.
When these two cross paths, it's like one of those perfect meet-cutes you'd roll your eyes at if you saw it in a movie. But here's the thing – sometimes life really does serve up those moments. As Serena tries to write her own story in the midst of teenage chaos, and Tyler discovers there's more to this girl than meets the eye, they might just help each other figure out that growing up isn't about following someone else's script.
From debut author Seraphina Chen comes a warm, witty tale that proves you're never too old to relate to the rollercoaster of first love and finding yourself. It's the kind of story that'll have you thinking, "Maybe high school wasn't so bad after all" – or at least grateful you're watching this drama unfold from a safe distance!
Between an unexpected return to her old cheerleading squad (talk about opening old wounds) and navigating hallways more dramatic than a daytime soap opera, Serena's got her hands full. And then there's Tyler Westman – the kind of guy who made high school look effortless until reality came knocking his senior year.
Poor Tyler's juggling more balls than a circus performer: lacrosse practice, a sister who needs him, friendships threatening to slip through his fingers, and the dreaded college applications. Sure, he's got the golden boy thing down pat, but lately he's wondering if there's more to life than being everybody's favourite highlight reel.
When these two cross paths, it's like one of those perfect meet-cutes you'd roll your eyes at if you saw it in a movie. But here's the thing – sometimes life really does serve up those moments. As Serena tries to write her own story in the midst of teenage chaos, and Tyler discovers there's more to this girl than meets the eye, they might just help each other figure out that growing up isn't about following someone else's script.
From debut author Seraphina Chen comes a warm, witty tale that proves you're never too old to relate to the rollercoaster of first love and finding yourself. It's the kind of story that'll have you thinking, "Maybe high school wasn't so bad after all" – or at least grateful you're watching this drama unfold from a safe distance!
July 17, 2024
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Seraphina for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 1/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Wonderstruck;
-She’s his tutor
-Coming of age
-Bucket list
-Friends x Lovers
-Cheerleader x Lacrosse
-Brothers Best friend
Okay this was so cute! I loved Serena and Tyler so much and no it’s not just because the characters look like me an my husband were younger 😅
Serena has dealt with a lot of loss and with loss comes the walls of protection! Her circle is small and once she starts on her high school journey after being home schooled she doesn’t plan on that changing. Tyler is the golden boy he has the weight of a lot of different things on his shoulders. This year he is not doing parties and definitely not relationships, well maybe.
Serena and Tyler are such relatable characters. I think majority if not everyone can relate to one or the other, if not both of the characters. Their cute back and forth of getting to know each was so cute! Plus we love a supportive man! He didn’t back down at all! If you love a book that gives you the feels, this is for you! My heart tugged for both Serena and Tyler! Her character growth was everything, she’s a badass! I don’t know how I would have handled her situation!
Without giving much away, I have to mention this because it was one of my favorite parts! Not the Netflix password😂 that got me good!!!
Overall this was such a fun read with funny, sad, happy twists. I couldn’t put it down!
Make sure you get the book when it releases on August 2nd💜🧡
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to Seraphina for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 1/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Wonderstruck;
-She’s his tutor
-Coming of age
-Bucket list
-Friends x Lovers
-Cheerleader x Lacrosse
-Brothers Best friend
Okay this was so cute! I loved Serena and Tyler so much and no it’s not just because the characters look like me an my husband were younger 😅
Serena has dealt with a lot of loss and with loss comes the walls of protection! Her circle is small and once she starts on her high school journey after being home schooled she doesn’t plan on that changing. Tyler is the golden boy he has the weight of a lot of different things on his shoulders. This year he is not doing parties and definitely not relationships, well maybe.
Serena and Tyler are such relatable characters. I think majority if not everyone can relate to one or the other, if not both of the characters. Their cute back and forth of getting to know each was so cute! Plus we love a supportive man! He didn’t back down at all! If you love a book that gives you the feels, this is for you! My heart tugged for both Serena and Tyler! Her character growth was everything, she’s a badass! I don’t know how I would have handled her situation!
Without giving much away, I have to mention this because it was one of my favorite parts! Not the Netflix password😂 that got me good!!!
Overall this was such a fun read with funny, sad, happy twists. I couldn’t put it down!
Make sure you get the book when it releases on August 2nd💜🧡
#bookstagram #romance #review
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