Loveboat, Taipei

Everett “Ever” Wong has always loved being a dancer. From the time she was a little girl, she knew it was what she wanted to do. She’s even received an invite to a prestigious dance school, but her parents have other plans for her. As she is first-generation Asian American, her parents are always reminding her of the sacrifice they made for her to have a better life. They expect her to get excellent grades and be a doctor to make the family proud.

She is finding ways to do both until her parents decide she needs to learn about her culture and go do an international program for the summer. She thinks it’s going to be all work and no fun until she finds out about the nightlife and gets a roommate who knows how to make this a summer she will never forget. Will this new sense of freedom ruin her future or make her bolder about talking to her parents about what she really wants?

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. I like that Ever is spreading her wings and gaining confidence. Her learning to stand up for her dream is admirable. I do like that she finds her confidence around boys.

I would recommend this book for eighteen and up. The sneaking out and sensual things Ever does to break every rule her family laid out is interesting, but not for a younger teen reader. It seems the character goes off the deep end a little too much.