English title is Reply to Keats/A Letter from Keanu Reeves. I’ve had the hardest time trying to write a review for this! I really enjoyed it and it stayed on my mind a few days after finishing it but I just can’t seem to put my thoughts into words. I plan to reread at some point because I feel like I’ve left out some things. Probably will have to edit this review the more I remember things I wanted to include 🙄
MC Chen Wan: composed, calm, smart, always in the background (his decision), quiet but not weak, appreciated by everyone, calculating, meticulous, conceals his feelings because he feels unworthy ML Zhao Shengge: rich, smart, desirable, “like a lion, seemingly indifferent but yet commanding”, a lot more under the surface than what people see
You might like this novel if you like the following ✔️Unrequited love/long time crush ✔️Character driven novel ✔️ Modern/mature ✔️ Focus on business ✔️ Family drama, tragic childhood
A few random thoughts and things that I loved… 📝Slow start but picked up at the 37% mark and I read it nonstop after that 📝CW really carried this book for me. I absolutely adored him, my heart ached for him, I got upset with him and also cried for him 📝CW constantly navigating his feelings and exhausting himself controlling how to act around ZS as to never be “banished” or make a mistake- this broke my heart 📝CW spent years creating a safe space where his feelings wouldn’t interfere or change anything that could result in possibly going past the point of no return 📝Not as much angst as I was anticipating but it’s definitely there 📝The last 70 pages wrecked me (in a good way) 📝ZS had a turning point for me and that is when I really started to love the story 📝ZS getting mad about all the attention he didn’t receive because CW held back all those years had me 😂😂😂 📝ZS upset that “Chen Wan could never truly experience being loved with the same depth that he gave”. 📝ZS so accepting and supportive of CW and his mental illness 📝 Loved the friend group! 📝Second book in a row I’ve read where a main character sees a therapist. Progress! 📝I highlighted so many passages and quotes in the novel that really had me in my feelings
“I like you, not because you like me. You don’t have to keep searching for a reason. Your existence itself is the answer.”
Zhao Shengge listened carefully to every word Chen Wan said, trying to trace back all the moments of being loved that he had missed, and could no longer reclaim.
Zhao Shengge knew he was having an episode, but he only asked, “What’s wrong?” Chen Wan hesitated for a moment before finally admitting honestly, “Zhao Shengge, I’m sorry. I’m sick.” Zhao Shengge seemed satisfied with the answer. He reached into Chen Wan’s pocket, pulled out the pill case, and said, “Then take your medicine.” Chen Wan couldn’t read anything from his face, and could only say “I’m sorry” again because he had wanted to give Zhao Shengge a healthy, undamaged Chen Wan. Zhao Shengge gave him a deliberately strange look and said coolly, “You’re saying sorry for taking medicine?” Chen Wan was at a loss for words. Zhao Shengge took the pills out, twisted open a bottle of water, and held it up to Chen Wan’s lips. “Who doesn’t get sick?”
(This rating is strictly on just the main story. I haven't read the side chapters, yet. My rating is subject to change) The extras are slowly getting fan translated and I will read them as they come out.
"Keanu Reeves, you really replied."
What can I say? This story was a rollercoaster of emotions, mainly sadness and anger. I'm glad Chen Wan got his happy ending. Though there were many times I was upset at Shengge, at least Chen Wan is happy. Shengge's personality didn't do any major shift, but moreso his attention shifted. Going from a cold and ruthless individual that cared about no one, to a caring (only to Chen Wan), yet ruthless individual.
I guess if I truly think about it, I appreciate that aspect because not every character in a story has to have character development. But I'll explain what bothered me in the spoiler.
The plot, wasn't extravagant, but certainly kept me on my toes with anticipation. This story was a lot more depressing than I expected. Chen Wan's character and back story really broke my heart. This man suffered immensely; worked his ass off to get out of the ruin he was in, stood up against his evil family, and pursued the man he had loved and admired for 16+~ years. His only ray of hope and sunshine was was that man, Shengge.
He collected items that reminded him of Shengge or would pick up things that were tossed or forgotten by Shengge, and would treasure them as if it was his loaf of bread like a slice of bread to a starving child. A school project that Shengge made, was put out of display, and our lonely Chen Wan would talk to it while he willingly and secretly dusted it and removed the leaves. He was so lonely but found solace in that one inanimate object that didn't speak back; it comforted him. Fortunately, years later after his pursuit to happiness paid off, he got a miniature version of that project piece by the man he loved, but now he had the man he loved hold him, speak to him, and love him back.
Though, I never understood why Chen Wan came to fall in love with him in the first place. It never explained what Shengge did those many years ago that made Chen Wan so infatuated and idolize him so, and ultimately love him so unconditionally.
I didn't feel like it explained much about Shengge, so empathizing with him was rather difficult and almost non existent. I'm glad in the end he is caring and warm with Chen Wan, but man oh man did a specific scene truly make me angry! He hurt Chen Wan so unnecessarily. Though much of the story Shengge was so in the dark and unaware like an idiot, the way he handled things have no excuse. He was cold and unbearably annoying with his serious looks, condiscending tones, and withholding his genuine self as a way to sort of torture or to get back at Chen Wan even after knowing Chen Wan's background. He's so selfish at so many moments that I just wanted to punch him in the face.
The way he communicates drove me up the wall, and I'll explain in the spoiler.
The ending was adorable, however! I'm glad things got wrapped up overall well, and nothing was left incomplete.
The beginning of this story was rather boring, aside from Chen Wan's back story, everything up to chapter 33~ was bland. Shengge was an ass the majority of the time that I just wanted to wrap Chen Wan in a blanket like a burrito and protect him! His love was so unconditional, and I know he never expected anything in return —he was simply happy with watching Shengge from afar— but that doesn't mean he wasn't hurt by Shengge's cold actions. It really made me question why did this man love Shengge so.
And perhaps it was that Chen Wan was a somewhat unreliable narrator that it made us unable to truly understand Shengge. His POV withheld so much information. He stubbornly wished to not bother Shengge nor be a disturbance that he ended hurting himself. interest— what seemed like Chen Wan wanting nothing from him—it was still brutally painful that Chen Wan kept so much to himself, often hurting and confused Shengge in the process. In Shengge’s eyes, Chen Wan’s restraint came across as coldness and indifference.
Later, Shengge noticed how tender and caring Chen Wan truly is and even later towards the end of the story, found out about Chen Wan's painful past.
When Shengge is in a good mood, he can be so loving and so caring enough to make me blush that FINALLY Chen Wan can be happy and warm. But other times... Dear lord... I again wanted to go into the book to punch him in the face!
Besides all of this in this review, I'm looking forward to the extras and I hope it changes my mind on a lot of my sour feelings about this story.
⚠️ Spoiler from here ⚠️ . . . . . . . . . I am deeply disturbed at how Shengge communicates and almost reprimands Chen Wan. It's almost in a way of punishing him and getting back at him. He questions him, withholds what he knows, and then lays it out after Chen Wan already feels like utter garbage. After he found out the truth of everything Chen Wan was dealing with on his own, instead of laying things out or asking him questions saying, "you hurt my feelings and broke my trust with not telling me what you were going through. I felt isolated and I'm really disappointed. What you did didn't make me happy. Why did you do it? In your own words, tell me everything."
He instead sits Chen Wan on his lap and leads him on... Pretending to coax him, yet pushes him away and tells him he's going to do the exact same thing to him tenfold. He hits him where it hurts and practically tells him that everything Chen Wan has done for him didn't make him happy. He manipulates and twist things, telling him he's sneaky because he himself is hurt and pissed.
He tells Chen Wan that Chen Wan's efforts to pursue him, sucks. All while Chen Wan is sitting there shaking like a leaf, bawling his eyes out just trying to hold him. Chen Wan was breaking down, having lost all hope, but still pleaded and pleaded to know if he could still pursue him. Only after he's utterly broken into a full on panic attack, did Shengge soothe him... I was pissed!
He knows Chen Wan only kept things from him because he didn't want to burden him, nor bother him. Chen Wan didnt feel worthy of asking for help. Shengge knew Chen Wan idolized him, yet throws it all in his face. How fucked up is that? I was livid.
"You made a mistake and now you're crying?... You commited too many offenses against me, and now you're acting so fearlessly. It hard for me to trust you again." ... "Chen Wan, you don't need to feel bad. This is how you treated me. You caught fireflies for me, made a Christmas tree shot, give me peonies and hydrangeas. You said you wanted me to be happy. But I wasn't happy. Chen Wan. Today is saddest day of my life."
It would make sense for him to behave this way if Chen Wan did all of these out of malicious intent. But no, it was the opposite, and yet Shengge hurt him so... Even after he kissed him and said he loved him, I was too pissed to care. It didn't make up for what I already felt and what he did to Chen Wan.
Anyway, I believe things could have been handled differently without hurting Chen Wan. Shengge could have still said all he said without being a gaslighting manipulative jerk!
Anyway... At least at the end he was kind and he is doing everything he can to shower Chen Wan with love and endless adoration. He's still jealous and possessive, punishing Chen Wan in bed, but at least Chen Wan is happy. I'm glad he got revenge for him, too. That scene of how Chen Wan's family were being tortured, was insane! Ngl, I was pleased when Shengge stuck that tazer thing into LQ's mouth for talking trash about Chen Wan. Deserved!
Even though this is my least favourite sub-genre of danmei I still ended up enjoying it.
However, be prepared for lots of boring business talk.
Chen Wan (MC) & Zhao Shengge (ML) meet for the 1st time properly in chapter 12 then you spend 20+ chapters of one of them entering the room and the other leaving immediately to answer a work call. The lack of communication between them was getting on my nerves at one point.
Things really pick up in the 2nd ½ of this novel. The ending was chef’s kiss perfection and the best part for me. When they finally get together it was very satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
My reasoning for giving it 5* is...I loved it, Your Honour.
I just don't know how to put into words how I felt about this book. I'm gonna try though.
Unusual for danmei, the summary on NU was actually spot on: Chen Wan (MC) is in love with Zhao Shengge (ML) and has been for many, many years. However, he never wanted to be part of his life and doesn't have any intention of pursuing him. His only wish is for Zhao Shengge to be happy.
The concept itself is very similar to Eternities still unsaid till you love me (another 5* I recommend) but Chen Wan is definitely much more unhinged than Xu Ze. His backstory is extremely sad and it makes you feel protective of him and you can also understand better why he won't pursue his love.
Zhao Shengge is seen as this untouchable god by everyone and he acts like it too. The moment he notices the MC, however, it's over for him. I love this kind of cold businessman that acts so pathetic for his crush the most, hahaha.
It's a very short novel actually and the plot is nothing too complicated, but I enjoyed it very much nonetheless. I'm just here for the drama, angst and romance and I got them all.
4.25⭐️ English Title: Reply to Keats / A Letter from Keanu Reeves.
Really enjoyed this one—unrequited love, a slow burn, and just the right amount of angst. The dynamic between the leads was really interesting. Chen Wan (MC) waits and watches for years, quietly obsessed in a way that feels both selfless and heartbreaking (he actually reminded me a bit of Xu Ze, if you’ve read that one). Zhao Shengge is completely unaware and keeps his distance, cold and unreadable as ever, until he finally gives in and goes all in, reckless and intense. It’s a slow, emotional push and pull between two people who feel a lot but say very little. If you’re into messy, emotional romance, this one’s worth picking up.
3.75 ⭐️ first half was kinda boring but I liked the second half it had more action and romance , however I still wanna punch zhao shenge he could've treated chen wan better(  ̄- ̄)
idk whether this will be a review or a long ass appreciation post.
" a letter from Keanu reeves" this is a danmei that i have heard from a lot of people and had it in my tbr! just somehow I picked it up..and i couldn't stop reading.
Our MC (chen wan) has been in love with ML(Zhao Shengge) since a long long time ago but never thought anything is possible between them because ML is quite untouchable with his reputation, family background, career and everything while MC is a hard worker who tries his best to survive being the illegitimate son of a influential family, still keeps doing everything he can to make the ML happy as he admires him from afar, completely resigning to the fact that he will never be the one.
♥️ Chen Wan was a character that ripped my heart, his insecurities, his stubborness to survive, him becoming a puddle in front of the man he loves and the fact that someone he never thought would acknowledge him back.
♥️ Chen Wan's backstory enraged me, my heart was in a mess. MC is the most devoted shou I've ever seen the feelings, the genuineness of his love towards the ML, the protectiveness (i honestly can't even call it obsession as it was so pure) 🥺
♥️ When Zhao Shengge came to know his feelings, i love how he went all in..for someone known to be icy cold and not letting people in..this man has been crushing hard...i love how he loves the MC to the point of thinking that he'd never reach the level of devotion the MC has for him.
— this had some of my favourite quotes throughout. — my heart is still a mess right now, this book actually is a unrequited love to requited love with the highest level of yearning. — “I like you, not because you like me. You don’t have to keep searching for a reason. Your existence itself is the answer.” ( i love the ML for saying this to the MC) ✨
this book tore me apart and sewed my heart up again.
The title "A Letter from Keanu Reeves" might seemed goofy and fanfiction-y, but when I learned the explanation behind, it became much more meaningful and quite fitting with the unrequited love trope.
This might be my second danmei novel with unrequited love, where the one who fell first fell so sincerely and so loyally but didn't even consider their feelings possible of being reciprocated. They held no delusion and just wanted to be the silent supporter. They loved so wholeheartedly without any selfishness, and they view their love as their own feelings, not something the other person should be bothered with.
The romance is slow burn, a 'will-they-won't-they' progression.
MC's view of his love for ML is actually so complex but also so interesting. He's not a pursuer but more of a silent admirer. He did everything in the background for ML without even taking any credit. He's an absolute giver but sincerely never expect anything in return. For a long time, ML didn't even know of his existence. MC didn't even feel disappointed even if ML barely look at him. For him, it was a matter of course because ML is standing on the highest pedestal while he's just someone who came from the muck, someone who's not worth even looking at by the ML.
But he's also an absolute madman. He has a tendency to be a yandere and he knew that, that's why he didn't let himself have any expectations. In surface, he always have very strong self-restraint when it comes to ML, but only he knows the turmoil inside him. He's also very self-destructive and very unkind to himself. Really, his care and love are all for ML and no one else.
ML, on the other hand, is initially very suspicious of MC. Because of his status, he's used to having people with certain motives around him, and even though MC is good at hiding his feelings and always acting normal, considerate but staying in an appropriate distance, He only thought MC was being manipulative, and it was only a matter of time before he discovered MC’s motive. That's why he's quite confused with the contradiction in MC's action.
ML's feelings came gradually, but he fell deeply. I always appreciate the reciprocation of unrequited love when the person who fell in love last caught feelings before they knew the other person's feelings for them. It doesn't feel like the ML just fell for him because MC loves him. He loves MC because it's his own feelings. Also, ML's personality is very indifferent when it comes to emotion. He wouldn't like you just because you like him. That's why him falling in love felt raw and genuine.
He also could handle MC's madness perfectly. He's a yandere himself, but one who's also very rational. He didn't coax or wasn't too compliant just because he loves MC, especially in times when MC is being too unkind to himself. ML knows MC's weakness is him, and he's using this knowledge to prevent MC from further hurting himself in any kind of way. They actually complement each other so perfectly, being to passionately obsessed with each other.
This has a perfect amount of angst and sweetness to this. I was so invested the whole time reading this.
I’m so happy Chen Wan got his man. If you’re looking for a book full of devotion, with amazing main and side characters, A Letter From Reeves should be at the top of your list.
I usually don’t enjoy stories where the shou chases the gong that’s just a personal preference and while this book might seem like that at first glance, it’s not. Yes, the shou is devoted, nearly worshipping the gong from afar… but the moment the gong notices, he starts bending fate itself to pull him closer.
And I quote:
“If they didn’t know how, he would pave the road and build the steps, guiding them every step of the way. But if they refused to come—Zhao Shengge leaned back in his chair, rotating his watch, his gaze tinged with regret and shadow. He could teach. But if they were unwilling, he had his own ways.”
This was an amazing read definitely another all-time favorite and solidly on my Best of 2025 list.
Que conste que lo terminé obligada (por mi misma), en realidad no quería acabarlo (T^T) ---------------- Relectura (esta vez con los extras) La disfruté como la primera vez, sigo amando la relación de Chen Wan y Zhao Shengge, lo devotos que son el uno con el otro y como los 2 son igual de raritos (obsesivos).
Las palabras "Si tú me amas a mi 100, yo a ti te amo 1.000. Si tú me amas 10.000, yo te amo 100.000" son una loca y extraña oración que parece no tener fin, PERO, que resume muy claramente esta novela.
La historia se centra en Chen Wan, un joven que su único propósito en la vida es: alcanzar a Zhao Shengge. Aunque su definición de "alcanzar" no es exactamente correcta, pero es precisa. Él lo cuida, le presta atención e intenta que todo a su alrededor sea de su agrado y lo más cómodo para él. Sin embargo, haciendo todo desde las sombras, sin necesidad de que lo mire, sepa su nombre, su presencia o llevarse el crédito. Él es feliz a su manera, viéndolo a lo lejos.
Su apariencia afable, de sonrisa cortés, detallista y además de un experto en negocios, es como todos lo ven. Sin saber que bajo esa máscara, esconde una oscuridad que desborda un pasado trágico, lucha y grilletes que lo siguen. Su único consuelo y luz, es el amor secreto que tiene por Zhao Shengge. Mismo hombre que es de apariencia fría, un adicto al trabajo y aparece en reuniones 1 vez a las 500. Pero que cierto día, descubrió que también en su solitario camino de éxito, guiados por otro desde pequeño y sin conocer de "sentimientos"; y así como las hojas de otoños que se separan de sus ramas para dar comienzo a una nueva estación, una pequeña hoja aterrizó en su ventana antes de tiempo y dándole a entender que nunca ha estado solo, y más aún, siempre fue amado.
Esta es simplemente una historia de un pequeño gato que no cree ser digno de ser amado x un león que ama ser amado por ese gatito, que se conocen, se buscan, se tientan y se aman con una intensidad que solo el otro puede dar y recibir.
¿La recomiendo? ¡Definitivamente! e incluso adoré que hubo un poco de venganza JAJA.
Nota: MENCIÓN ESPECIAL A ZHUO ZHIXUAN MI NIÑO, ERES EL MEJOR AMIGO QUE PUDO TENER CHEN WAN. SIEMPRE CUIDÁNDOLO COMO MAMÁ GALLINA
The first danmei of 2026. What a great way to start the year.
Chen Wan, our protagonist, is a hard working businessman who strives to make those around him comfortable and secure. He organizes events, catering to the needs of his friends and acquaintances with the distinct perception that he is societally beneath them (as an abandoned son of the fourth concubine of Chen Bingxu). However, his special care goes further for one person in particular: Zhao Shengge.
He has held an unrequited love for this man for the last sixteen years without any expectation of being noticed for all his gestures and care. Granted, some of his care leans a little into the yandere territory, but it ends up working in his favor.
Zhao Shengge notices Chen Wan’s careful attentions, but instead of understanding it as that of a person in love, he becomes suspicious of Chen Wan’s motivations (which, valid— Chen Wan is a little stalkerish even though he manages to fly under the radar) and sets out to expose any suspicious behavior. From there, they slowly progress from strangers to acquaintances to business partners to something more.
It’s heartwarming to read something like this where the protagonist fundamentally believes he won’t be loved due to his societal position and poor mental health (due to trauma being treated like a dog, literally kept in the dog kennel by his family, and kept in an awful asylum when he dared to fight back) <“Zhao Shengge, I’m sorry, I’m sick”>, but someone comes along and proves that he is worthy of being loved with the same intensity that he loves other people.
Just goes to show, someone out there WILL match your freak.
Title : A Letter from Keanu Reeves Really enjoyed it ❤️ I loved Chen Wan he’s probably my favorite character 🥰 he’s gentleness but also fierce personality when it comes to protecting his loved ones (aka Zhao Shengge) 🥹 my only complaint is I wish we had more insight on Zhao Shengge’s feelings and how he fell in love with Chen Wan. Overall a really fun read 🫶🏻 Chen Wan is the biggest yearner, he never thought his feelings would be reciprocated but they did 🥹
Well, that danmei wasn’t what I thought it would be. The blurb made it seem like a lighthearted and fun read but it was actually about two deeply mistreated children that grew up into men with a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms. The only admirable thing about this was that at least one of them sought help from a psychiatrist.
Like I wrote in an update, I wasn’t sure who was more obsessed with whom: Chen Wan (MC) with Zhao Shenge (ML) or the other way round. Until the end it was hard to tell.
Obviously, they had a happy ending, but the story left me wanting: It felt too superficial even though it strove for them to have a deep connection. Their relationship evolved in a long game of tug-of-war and they were observing the other at all times for reactions instead of simply talking to each other. In the end they managed to change that but it didn’t feel like a natural development. The book felt constructed from start to finish.
It managed to cure my itch for a contemporary story though.
this is one of the most beautifully written unrequited love stories i’ve ever read. every step and advance they make in their relationship makes perfect sense to their characters and developing understanding of each other. but what makes this, to me, one of, if not the best portrayal of unrequited love i’ve ever seen is the fact that chen wan isn’t insecure or trapped in his one-sided pining for zhao shengge. in fact, it is precisely the fact that his love is one-sided that he has the freedom and agency to dictate how and when their relationship develops, and it is zhao shengge instead who finds himself unsure of his place in their relationship and in chen wan’s heart. essentially, the core of the novel’s thesis about unrequited love is this: 暗恋和主动的人可以随时停止自己的感情,沦陷的人只能竭尽全力保留和索取那份迷恋。 / the one whose love is unrequited and who takes the lead can suspend their feelings at any moment, and the one who has fallen into their hands can only utterly exhaust all their strength to retain and seek that besotted love.
every single character is very well fleshed-out, and none of them play into stereotypical and/or trashy tropes, which is incredibly easy to do in this kind of 霸总文学 / domineering ceo fiction (... i hate every single translation of this lol). the main characters are of course particularly well-written, but even the side characters each felt like fully developed people, not just characters. zhuo zhixuan’s friendship with chen wan is just as beautiful as zhao shengge and chen wan’s relationship, and you really feel for the fact that such a loving and loyal character is stuck with a family that absolutely doesn’t deserve him. shen zongnian almost never says anything, but everything he leaves unsaid is made extremely clear to the reader. tan youming’s interactions with him, though fleeting, are sweet enough that everyone in the comments ended up begging the author to write a book for them (and she did!). xu zhiying glows with all the strength and confidence that women are rarely allowed to have, particularly in the business world; i have the entire paragraph where she shuts down a misogynistic reporter with perfect poise highlighted. even qin zhaoting has his own charm to him, despite basically only appearing here and there to make zhao shengge jealous.
and chen wan’s mother, god. i have rarely, if ever, seen such a well-written mother. song qingmiao is full of contradictions. she makes you pity her, then resent her, and then eventually heave a sigh of lament for her. i hated most of what she did, yet i could understand exactly how patriarchal strictures forced her into the depths of despair needed to twist her into that shape. we will never know what she could have been like had life treated her better—perhaps she might’ve been like xu zhiying or xu enyi: self-assured and in control of her own life, able to live and love freely, rather than clinging to beauty and jewels as the only leverage she will ever have. that, i think, is the novel’s biggest 酸涩点 / bitter ache, and not her son’s unrequited love.
anyway, i’ve written the rest of my review in chinese because it’s slightly spoilery, and also because it was actually much harder to think and write about zhao shengge and chen wan’s relationship in english lol.
p.s. i deducted half a star bc there was so much business-specific language (that i don’t understand!!) that at some point i started desperately skimming every time i saw something related to their business ventures. it would’ve been five stars otherwise.
"to love someone so deeply that you'd give up your life, yet never reveal it, and see the exposure of that love as a burden"
esta lectura fue como leer una constante carta de amor que en vez de ser enviada será quemada en una chimenea. (pero rescatada a último momento para llegar a tener su tan preciada respuesta hehe) es increíble como la autora retransmite tan bien los sentimientos de un amor destinado a nunca llegar a ser nada más que añoranza. por suerte estos dos no van a dejar que el destino los detenga!
un slow burn (¿se puede decir así aunque nuestro protagonista esté pilladísimo desde el primer momento?) extremadamente leeento pero es como los que me gustan a mí, todo pasa al ritmo perfecto para retransmitir lo que se pretende. (no la recomendaría para personas que no toleran el slow burn)
todos los personajes son tan HUMANOS !! está tan bien escrito, todos sus sentimientos tienen la explicación más humana y fácil de relatar del mundo, chen wan te amo
hay escenas que nunca se van a ir de mi memoria, cada pequeño avance de estos dos me hacía gritar y dar vueltas. LA TENSIÓN!! por favor que alguien me deje darle un besazo a la autora
estoy tan feliz que estas dos personitas hayan encontrado su sitio para amar y ser amados... termino esta lectura con el corazón extremadamente cálido. <3
Chen Wan me recordó a mi yo adolescente, pero él me superó.
Un amor que quieres esconder para no molestar, pero a la vez querer darle todo para que sea feliz incluso si no es a tu lado, es realmente desesperante y doloroso.
Al comienzo el desarrollo de la historia es muy lenta (y sí, varias pensé en abandonarlo pero me intrigaba el desenlace, y por momentos me identificaba con Chen Wan y ahhh se me mezclaban las emociones), pero luego de que tiene más interacción con ZSG se vuelve interesante. El hecho de querer ver más allá de Chen Wan terminó por enamorarse de él, por darle todo y por supuesto vengarse de aquellos que lo trataron mal (AMOOOOO).
Les comparto una frase que me gustó y no olvidaré:
"Si no sabes como perseguir a alguien, entonces no lo hagas. Déjamelo a mi."
Nice read. Actually. The romance was good. The characters don't behave out of ordinary but in tune to their emotions and heart. The slowburn was slowburning. Well, all talk about business was a little boring to me. However, it still was good.
I really loved Zhao Shengge's attitude towards Chen Wan. This, in fact, harsh approach helped opening Chen Wan up, and it was delightful to read. The only thing that throws me off when person is too obsessed with his crush/lover but I guess it's fine since they both truly yearns for each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The name of the novel "A Letter from Keanu Reeves" is taken from a song of the same name by Fiona Sit. I would recommend listening to the song once before starting the novel. The song is about how Fiona Sit writes letters to Keanu Reeves over the years even though she thinks she'll never recieve a reply. But in the second verse, it is shown that Keanu Reeves writes back.
This novel is also the same. Chen Wan's unrequited love was just like that. Preserving, unwavering and determined, never hoping for something in return but eventually his Keanu Reeves does write back. This novel is also called "Reply to Keats" and Keats is the english name of Chen Wan.
The way Chen Wan's unrequited love is portrayed is both beautiful and painful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
a letter from keanu reeves (reply to keats) is one of those books that completely, unexpectedly, lives up to its hype.
i had a vague understanding of what the book was about, but even then, the execution of the plot, but especially these characters, was gripping. nothing played out how i expected, and that was actually the best part for me.
there is a pretty solid plot here, but it's the characters that shine the most. none moreso than the main character, chen wan. i loved, loved him so much. his quiet yet strong, selfishly unselfish love, his singluar friendship that he allows himself to have and treasure, and how so many people seem to adore him and yet he doesn't seem to know that. this type of character can easily become a cliché, but the author does a really good job of balancing his issues with self-worth, and his childhood that led him to becoming the person he is.
zhao shengge too, is a character I've become most endeared with. he too, could be a waking sterorype - the tall, stoic, brooding love interest. at first, he's suspicious of chen wan's actions, but he slowly comes to love chen wan (not for chen wan's affections but for him as a person). and it's so important to me that only afterwards does he realise the full, extreme depth of chen wan's love. it's his wonderful contradictions that make zhao shengge so interesting - how he's so kind to the parts of chen wan that chen wan is embarrassed by, and yet stern and unyielding with anything that chen wan uses to isolate himself.
their relationship is undoubtedly a slowburn, but it burns and burns and burns and then it blazes. there is angst, but it is so sweet. there's heartbreak, but it is fulfilling.
I really enjoyed the vibes of this book. There was such yearning from Chen Wan's (at first) unrequited love and his steadfast stance that he really didn't need his love to be reciprocated, he didn't even need to try, he just wanted to be able to observe him and hope for his happiness. The last ten chapters were a little slow and I did skim all the business/family drama because I didn't care, I was just in it for the love story and for me, the best part was Chen Wan's melancholy yearning in the first half of the book. I'll definitely read the side character's story that the author is currently writing.
Plot - the romance starts off as a slow burn right up until the middle when the ML forces a confession out of the MC, and everything after feels faster paced so you’re eventually left feeling like “that’s it?”. Super heavy business plot that I personally didn’t care for, and it comes up so much that I had to get invested otherwise nothing would make sense. MC goes through a bit of character development however I felt he could’ve gotten there quicker if the ML hadn’t been such an arrogant narcissist and taken such a long time to step in and actually turn the tides of the relationship. I was ready to be the MLs biggest hater up until this shift in their relationship, where the ML now pursues the MC instead of how it was for the first three thirds of the story; up until that point I couldn’t care for him at all. They don’t actually get “together” until the very last chapter of the book - everything they’d done prior is only described as “pursuing” the other person. 4/5
— is like a love letter you were never meant to see, aching yet beautiful — poetic, modern, and a little devastating… — peak emotional repression. every glance, pause, or slight gesture means something. the tension is so thick it’s practically a third character. — tactful and refined. mostly psychological push and pull, slow revelation from both sides, like watching two chess masters move while maintaining emotional restraint. — read if you’re into unrequited yearning, workplace slow burns, subtle emotional shifts, quiet intensity, and lyrical prose
o primeiro capitulo me prendeu nessa historia, os seguintes só foram fomentando mais ainda esse interesse e no final eles eram toda a minha personalidade… o nome desse livro faz todo sentido depois de ler ele todo e a historia mds incrível 10/10 totalmente leria dnv!!!! os principais são tão 😭🥰💕😖😣😩 juro amo eles de paixão pqp meus filhos!!!!
Manifesté muy devotamente a mi crush - La historia
Chen Wan te amo con todo mi ser, mereces toda la felicidad que tienes y más ❤️
Se puede sentir su amor secreto, y todo lo que secreto significa: aceptar que no seras correspondido. A veces eso está bien... pero aquí no. Aquí tenían que terminar juntos porque estaban hechos el uno para el otro 😭
This one was tough in the beginning for me, but got better by the end. The circling and manipulation and mind games that makes up the beginning of their getting to know you period was not for me. They both had a lot of trauma to work through, and it shows. That being said, their consideration for each other was sweet, if not psychotic. I'm interested in the second couple's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.