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Frankly in Love
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
101 posts | 85 read | 2 reading | 79 to read
Frank Li is a high school senior living in Southern California. Frank's parents emigrated from Korea, and have pretty much one big rule for Frank - he must only date Korean girls. But he's got strong feelings for a girl in his class, Brit - and she's not Korean. His friend Joy Song is in the same boat and knows her parents will never accept her black boyfriend, so they make a pact: they'll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks fake-dating is the perfect plan, but it leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love - or himself - at all. David Yoon's debut novel is a quirky, authentic, heartbreaking romantic comedy and a refreshingly different take on race, immigrant communities, friendship and family.
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Beachbum
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I‘m enjoying this book about a Korean family, specifically a boy named Frank falling in love with a white girl who is afraid of his parents reaction to this. His parents aren‘t open to a multicultural relationship. I‘m enjoying this, a lot!!! #summerreading #gotoyourlibrary #davidyoon #booktok #kittensoflitsy

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Roary47
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Mehso-so

3✨I was loving this in the beginning and now I‘m struggling with what to say. I finished it last last night and was disappointed that it turned the characters worlds in a different direction and stopped. So Frank Li and his friends in AP Calculus are working to get excellent scores on the SAT to land their dream colleges. High school situations happen throughout. There is also racial situations, and deep sad situations. The humor throughout is fun

Roary47 This is one of my March #roll100 picks @PuddleJumper and also was on my #20in4 to finish for the end of April @Andrew65 11mo
PuddleJumper Awesome! 11mo
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 11mo
15 likes1 stack add3 comments
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rockpools
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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On the hunt for a #QuietYA book for #Booked2023, I thought I‘d give this a go. Korean-American Frank falls for a white girl. His parents have already disowned his sister, for falling for a black guy. So he needs a plan…

It‘a titled as a predictable romance, but this isn‘t where it goes. It‘s much more about feeling you fall between worlds, working out your identity, friendships & getting to know your parents. Sad & funny. Narrator was excellent.

Cinfhen Sounds great!!! 14mo
42 likes1 comment
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JoyBlue
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Mehso-so
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seigakuFIGHTo
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
Pickpick

I expected to just flip through this to get the idea of it for MD BEST. But no, I had to read the whole thing. There was so much packed into it, and nostalgia, and sadness, and it was wonderful.

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Amoon
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

A wonderful book about Frank who is a senior in high school. His parents came from Korea to California and own a grocery store. Frank is one of the very smart students who will probably get into the great colleges they apply to. Frank is torn between his life as a Korean and American. He can‘t communicate his true feelings to his racist parents. I was deeply moved by this story .

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bibliocurl
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Mehso-so

🌟🌟🌟

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802Librarian
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

I loved this! Especially Frank and Q‘s relationship, we do such a disservice to men by making so-called sensitive emotions feminine.

Reggie I loved this book. I loved the Apeys and how supportive they were of each other. And yes to your review! 3y
Suet624 Can‘t wait to read this! 3y
802Librarian @Reggie Same! So great to see non-competitive friendships. 3y
See All 7 Comments
802Librarian @Suet624 I‘ve been loving YA during the pandemic. 3y
Suet624 I remember when I first read YA about 4 years ago. I was blown away by it. I felt as though I had just discovered a whole genre treasure trove! Im glad you‘re finding some good reading material. I 3y
802Librarian @Suet624 I‘ve been reading YA for years and I‘m also continually blown away by it. I wish more of my patrons read it. Also, when I was 12 I went right from middle grade books to Stephen King. I wish this stuff existed back then 😆 3y
Suet624 I agree. 3y
15 likes7 comments
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802Librarian
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Same, Frank. Same. 😆

Traci1 Yep. That just about sums it up for me. 3y
Reggie I love this book soooo much. Especially all the Apeys and their lovely nerdiness. 3y
802Librarian @Reggie I had a good laugh at the part where Frank comes up with his idea to play electronic dance music acoustically with other people like nobody had ever tried that 🤣 3y
14 likes1 stack add3 comments
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One_With_Books
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
Mehso-so

I almost gave up on this book when I first started but decided to just tough it out and finish it. It was better than what I was expecting. It could have had more detail in some parts just to help the “well what about this?” Thoughts later on. I would recommend it if you like a sad little love story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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iread2much
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Mehso-so

I wanted to love this book, Frank‘s experiences trying to bring someone not Korean home speak to my own experiences, but the book really dragged at times and Frank and his fake and maybe not fake girlfriend are not my favorite characters. Frank learns about love, himself and his family in the last year of high school. Things are complicated by his parents racism and his own identity issues. 2.5/5 stars

britt_brooke Hello, cute pupper! 💚🐾 3y
Leftcoastzen Wow ! Finally a full doggie face photo! So cute! 3y
LeahBergen That sweet face! ❤️ 3y
See All 8 Comments
iread2much @britt_brooke hello! 😄🐕 3y
iread2much @Leftcoastzen so difficult to capture his all black face. He also doesn‘t like books, except for chewing 😅 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Too cute!!!!! 3y
22 likes1 stack add8 comments
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One_With_Books
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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At first I wasn‘t so sure about this book, but it‘s actually kinda good.

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One_With_Books
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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I just got to chapter two and I am already feeling like this book is going to be a dud 🙄

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Sharanya
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Hello, gorgeous 😍

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Sharanya
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

THIS. WAS. SO. ADORABLE. AND. REALISTIC. AND WITTY. AND ANGSTY. AND LOVELY. AND PERFECT. 😭😍😭😍

★★★★★

BennettBookworm Thanks for the rec!! 4y
Sharanya @BennettBookworm Any time!! 😁 4y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sharanya
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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#currentlyreading | apparently 2020 is the year of excellent fake-dating books 😍

11 likes1 stack add
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marleed
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Mehso-so

I wanted to like this more than I did. Racism in immigrant families is an important subject and I wasn‘t a fan of Frank‘s own actions when contrasted to his frustration with his parents‘‘ racism. Hw was though, a maturing, horny 17-yr old, so I gave him a bit of a break.

47 likes1 stack add
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SiameseCatsRead
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Mehso-so

Set in America, this story explores the dichotomy between two cultures, Korean and American. Frank is Korean-American, whereas his parents are Korean. They speak Korean, they have Korean get togethers, and most of all, they don't like anyone who's not Korean. Frank and his other Korean-American friends don't speak Korean, and were born into the American culture. We see Frank go to many extents to convince his parents that being American is ok.

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SiameseCatsRead
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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91% of the book done. I'm really not sure I'm liking where this book is heading. I'm only taking a guess on how the author will wrap this book up, but based on current events in the plot, it won't be wrapped in a pretty little 🎀.

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Skeeterisme
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

♥️♥️♥️

Addison_Reads Loved this one! 💚 4y
52 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SiameseCatsRead
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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"Here‘s what I imagine rich people like Joy‘s dad to be like: forever chasing a finish line that‘s actually the horizon, never to be reached. Is that a kind of happiness too?"

Is this the "American Dream" as immigrants see it???

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SiameseCatsRead
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Not here to stir things up, but I never thought about this! The main character, Frank Li is Korean-American, and has been slowly beginning to see cultural differences and prejudices (mainly made by his family members).

rjsthumbelina This book really took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to really enjoy it, bc YA contemporary isn't always a win for me, but I loved the commentary included about different social issues, and I enjoyed the character growth to boot! 4y
SiameseCatsRead @rjsthumbelina 👍 I'm not done with it yet, but from what I've read so far, I'm really enjoying it. Yes, I started the book completely unaware of its deep down context. I can see now where characters are changing, and I hoping for one thing to happen, but we shall see. 4y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Addison_Reads
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

To be honest, YA romance focused reads typically make me cringe, so I was unsure about this one when I started.

Boy was I wrong though with this one! It's a wonderful, heartfelt read that deals with parental relationships, acceptance, and just being true to yourself. Yoon weaves so much Korean-American culture into this story and it brings a depth to the characters that simply put is refreshing and amazing.

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Thanks for the review, 📚add for me. I like a good YA from time to time 🙏🏻 4y
SiameseCatsRead Oh I'm so glad I'm reading it right now. Seems good so far, and I like the cultural aspect of the book. 4y
Reggie Yayyy, glad you liked it. So much to love in here. I loved how nerdy and supportive the Apeys were of each other. 4y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Chelleo
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Going back and forth between #audiobook and print. Decided to sit on the deck with my coffee to read a bit this morning. It‘s currently raining (lightly) and my flowers are in bloom. Nice way to start the day.

I‘m really enjoying this title. I wasn‘t expecting the level of introspection and observation about interracial dating, growing up as a first generation Korean American and the varying discussions around race and ethnicity.

Reggie I loved the AP kids and how nerdy and supportive of each other they were. 4y
100 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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sarahgreatlove
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

This was a treasure. Frank Li, Joy and Q are some of the funniest most likeable characters I‘ve read in recent years. This fake dating love story gets deep in lots of places and examines racism and culture while making you laugh and cry. I loved reading it and was sad when it ended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

9 likes2 stack adds
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Victoriahoperose
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this YA book. It was very relatable and really captured the essence of being a teen and made me think about a lot of memories of my younger days. It dealt with some serious topics and also made me laugh and I had a fun time reading this one definitely!

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lowellette
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

A wonderful young adult novel for John Green and Sandhya Menon fans. Deals with racism, generational divides, and teen romance in a humorous and heartfelt way.

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AileenRR
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

Cute, cute, cute!!! Love lives of smart, young minorities is definitely my thing ♥️

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UnabridgedPod
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

David Yoon's Frankly in Love is a gorgeous, complex YA novel that deals with racism, family, and (as the title says!) love--romantic love, but also love between friends and family.⠀

Frank Li is the son of Korean immigrants to the United States. He has an older sister, Hanna, but when she married a Black man, her parents disowned her. ⬇️

UnabridgedPod Frank, whose best friend Q is Black, is fully aware of the horror of his parents' racism and their prejudice against any potential partner who isn't Korean. But he also understands just how awful it would be to be cut off from his parents. So, when he begins dating a white girl, he knows that he has to do something.

Enter Joy--another child of immigrants who is caught between her parents' first-generation expectations ⬇️
4y
UnabridgedPod and her own more liberal feelings about non-Koreans. Joy is dating a Chinese American and, like Frank, can't let her parents find out. So, Frank and Joy begin pretending to date, providing cover for their other illicit relationships.⠀

Complications ensue, of course, and Frank has to reconcile the disparity between who he wants to be, who he appears to be, and who he really is. This novel is poignant and, at times, REALLY funny. ⬇️
4y
UnabridgedPod Yoon portrays Frank's relationship with his parents beautifully: we see their love for each other, though it's often unspoken and sometimes difficult to find in the midst of parental pressure and expectation.⠀

I loved SOOOO many things about this book: Frank and Q are so smart and such great friends; their teacher, Mr. Soft, is seriously the epitome of what all teachers should be; ⬇️
4y
See All 6 Comments
UnabridgedPod the relationships are nuanced and complicated and beautifully real. I appreciated the way the book went so far beyond my expectations, making me giddy and breaking my heart at the same time.⠀

What's the last book that was so much better than you expected? Who else has read this one? What did you think?
4y
Reggie I really liked this one and felt it spoke to the experience of being in-between cultures. Also, I loved how nerdy the apeys were!!! 4y
UnabridgedPod @Reggie Yes!! I agree about the “in between”—the Limbos were so great. And I loved the Apeys, too: so endearing. 4y
22 likes6 comments
blurb
Melismatic
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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This panel centered on Korean-American authors & voices. #BookCon

More titles in the comments!

23 likes6 comments
quote
Sharpeipup
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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“People who let themselves learn new things are the best kind of people.”

TRUTH!

#readwithmrbook #debutnovel

28 likes1 stack add
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Sharpeipup
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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It‘s true. The way to my ❤️ is through 📚

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rjsthumbelina
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did! Great input about racism, beautiful (and messy) character relationships, and maybe a little too much plot? Frank is trying to navigate senior year, falling in love, and pleasing his Korean immigrant parents. Does include a fake dating situation

25 likes1 stack add
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brandierickson
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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The best ice cream!! And this book is pretty fun so far. Teenagers in love!!

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Alanyaaass
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Currently reading

6 likes2 stack adds
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ninergrl6
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Mehso-so

Coronavirus shelter-in-place gave me time to finish this book. It was a quick read but kind of felt like two different books. I wish it picked a lane. For me personally I think these times call for something more escapist like fantasy or sci-fi. #bookclub #ya #teachersoflitsy

PaperbackPrincess19 What book club is this? I‘d love to join an online book club 4y
ninergrl6 @Paperback.princess19 It‘s actually an in-person (until COVID-19) book club through my local bookstore for adults who read YA. I do follow an Instagram book club called Rosende Reads that covers a lot of classics (current book is Little Women). 4y
8 likes2 comments
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DebbieGrillo
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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1. Our spot on Oppenheimer Beach.
2. Tagged
3. Social Distancing

#friYAYintro @4thhouseontheleft @howjessreads

64 likes1 stack add
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RebL
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Second verse, similar to the first: What would you ask David Yoon? I‘m moderating a panel talk on Forbidden Love and want to provide some good discussion questions.
~
Also, this cover, these end pages, those inked edges! 😍
~
#YALit
https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/?action=display_event&id=7062

Bklover I love inked edges! 4y
12 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Deb
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

Book 13 of 2020 #FranklyInLove by David Yoon. I love books that start out as one thing then become something else. Frank Li is the son of Korean immigrants. When he and family friend Joy Song find themselves dating people their parents would not approve of, they decide to fake date each other as a cover. I freaking love this book - I will put in my classroom library to share with my students. It‘s funny and unexpectedly emotional. 4 ⭐️

3 likes1 stack add
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wonga
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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liked it more than i expected 👍

Reggie Awww I loved this book. 4y
45 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Shay1097
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
Pickpick

This book is a force, it was so well written and enjoyable and covered important topics! The characters are real, they are lovely and terrible and racist and kind and passionate and forgiving, and just wow. Frank was such a great character to get to read he is SMART, and always questioning the world around him, his parents and friends as well. This is the kind of book I WANT to read and think everyone should read! Great start to 2020!

3 likes1 comment
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Shay1097
Frankly in Love | David Yoon

“Laughter is the music of the deep cosmos connecting all human beings that says all the things mere words cannot.”

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BittersweetBooks
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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If you are so unfortunate as to have no one in your life who can make you laugh, drop everything and find someone. Because laughter isn‘t just about the funny. Laughter is the music of the deep cosmos connecting all human beings that says all the things mere words cannot 💛💙

rather_be_reading the colored edges! 4y
BittersweetBooks @rather_be_reading I know right?! 😍 4y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
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jjschlic
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Just getting started. So far, so good.

4 likes1 stack add
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Nitpickyabouttrains
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

Frank‘s parents have strong rules about who he can date so he and his friend start to fake date. Obviously it does not go smoothly.

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Kaylamburson
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

Finished reading this just hours before it was due back to the library so powered through in between Hallmark movies with the family.
I loved both Nicola Yoon books, so I was excited to see what her husband was capable of. It's an entertaining coming-of-age story, although less about love than you'd imagine given the title. Very bittersweet ending, but it wrapped up nicely.

UwannaPublishme I‘m hanging out with my Mom today and watching Hallmark movies too. 😁 4y
Kaylamburson Yes!! That's al li we do over break, haha. @UwannaPublishme 4y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Erinreadsthebooks
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

It‘s cute YA that touches on some pretty heavy topics. By the end, I was ready to move on to something else, but that‘s probably my issue and not the book‘s 🤷‍♀️

Bookwormjillk Cool cover 4y
britt_brooke Trippy cover! 4y
36 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Wow, Rachel, what a wonderful Christmas gift! Thank you for the ARC of Frankly in Love - I‘ve been dying to read it - and the copy of Born with Teeth! It‘s one of my favorite audiobooks, but I didn‘t know the print book had pictures! Squee! And the wonderful coloring book!

I also love the origami necklace, tea, and bath oil! The family has already eaten some of the chocolate you sent. Thank you so much, dear friend! 😘😘💕📚🥰🎄🎄

Meaw_catlady Glad you love it all!! ❤️❤️ 4y
Meaw_catlady You are soooo welcome!! 🎄❤️ 4y
Megabooks @Meaw_catlady 😘😘😘 4y
75 likes3 comments
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Centique
Frankly in Love | David Yoon
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Pickpick

A great YA read - not really a romance, more the story of a teenager trying to find his place in life, including where and how a girlfriend fits in to it. Frank Li is a Korean American; he doesn‘t speak Korean and doesn‘t feel ‘Korean enough‘ sometimes. He wishes he could understand his parents better and could change some of their strict rules - like only dating Korean girls. Over the course of the book he learns a lot about them & himself. ⬇️

Centique I particularly liked how Frank and his AP friends glory in their nerdiness with no shame. And his relationship with his best friend Q and the way they talk to each other - made me so happy 😍 @Reggie thanks for the recc! 4y
Centique PS background shot is more garden ornaments from a favourite art gallery 🥰 4y
Velvetfur That sounds like such a cute book! 😊 4y
See All 7 Comments
LiteraryinLawrence Great review! 4y
Reggie I‘m so glad you liked it!!! I loved the Apeys!!! How they would start the slow clap into the fast clap and their just overall supportive nerdy awesomeness. 4y
Centique @Reggie they‘re the best! My daughter is in an extension class and I‘m hoping her friends are this cool 😎😎😎 4y
Rissreads This sounds so interesting and I love your photo! 💚 4y
65 likes1 stack add7 comments