[MPOV] The Girl Who Dreamed: A Hong Kong Memoir of Triumph Against the Odds.

My rating: 5/5

Goodreads rating: 4.20/5
Published: October 1, 2024
Author: Sonia Leung
Genre: Memoir

At the age of 14, Sonia Leung was raped by her ping-pong coach.

 

She had moved from China two-and-a-half years earlier to join her family in Hong Kong, but she could not fit in. The family of six lived in a cramped subdivided hut in a Kowloon squatter village but rarely communicated with each other. The difficulties of adjusting to colonial Hong Kong heightened the tensions between her parents. Feeling trapped and unloved, Sonia was too afraid to tell anyone about the rape. She saved money by working part-time at McDonald’s and, a year later, she bought a one-way plane ticket to Taipei and ran away from home.

 

The Girl Who Dreamed is a memoir of her childhood in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan – and how, through work and further education, she found her way to an independent life away from the family and world from which she needed to free herself.

Thanks to the publisher, Blacksmith Books, and the author, Sonia Leung, for this ARC in return for my honest review. It truly was an eye-opening read for me and I could not fathom what this girl has gone through and endured most of her young life!

"I became non-existent to them. If I could vanish into the air, I would not feel so empty and hungry for food, attention, validation, and love."

Interestingly, the author has made many references to famous Chinese authors and poets that somehow shaped her thoughts and life. Just a mere few sentences can be enlightening, making a good impression on someone as young as the author then. TBH, I do believe that literature can make or break someone, depending on how it was understood. 

"Only when I was a grown woman did I learn that the daughter's names would not enter the book of Leung's family genealogy."

Having brought up in an Asian family, I get it. I understand that Asian parenting is so different from way back then. However, I guess with what we have endured then, our perspective changed in bringing up our children hence Asian parenting has evolved, and some children are more entitled these days LOL! Anyhow this is just my opinion lah!

I have enjoyed yet agonized reading through this memoir. Definitely a harrowing experience at the start and I applaud her for being so brave to remember, write it down and published it. This is not an easy feat. Also, who would have thought that a teenager could travel alone to Taiwan without her chaperone?!!! I am amazed with her will power, her positive mind and gutsy personality! I do empathize especially when she could have been with Jeremy, have a ''HEA'' with their baby too. On the other hand, I am glad that her life turned out well and I do wish her the best in her future undertakings. 

Sonia, 

Thank you for sharing your story with the world.

"Writing had empowered me once. It brought on profound changes."

[Crochet] Card holder

Another nudge from my student, an easy and small crochet project, a small coin purse / card holder. Pattern by Linna-ne on Youtube. I've used:

• mixed wool yarn from Spotlight
• random button from my stash 

[Crochet] Scrunchies

I've recently crocheted these scrunchies / hair ties! I've bought the rubber bands for a long time and finally got the nudge from a student to do it! This is an easy pattern by @loopytales456 on Instagram.

I've used:

• acrylic yarns
• rubber band from Mr. DIY

[MPOV] Lies and Weddings

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads rating: 3.83/5

Published: May 21, 2024

Author: Kevin Kwan 

Genre: romance, adult fiction, Asian literature, humour

"A forbidden affair erupts dramatically amid a decadent Hawaiian wedding in this hilarious, sophisticated, and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex—and the lies we tell about them all.

 

Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel, has a problem: his family fortune, the legendary Gresham Trust, has been depleted by decades of profligate spending. While magazine covers and Instagram stories display impeccably designed manors and shiny new yachts, the secret reality holds nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to seduce a woman with money, thereby securing the family's precarious financial future.

Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey-blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong?

When the Gresham family descends on the Big Island of Hawaii to host a veritable who's who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs for the wedding of the decade, Rufus must merely flex his famous abs to bewitch the heiress of his choice. But instead a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials, and the Gresham family's plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.

Can the once-great earldom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist? Spanning the black sand beaches of Hawaii, the red city of Marrakech, the Los Angeles bachelor pad of a billionaire playboy, and the inner sanctum of England’s oldest family estate, Lies and Weddings reveals an enthralling family saga that is as scandalous and satirical as it is full of heart."

It's my first read from this author and I was surprised with the entertaining storyline! I've not read nor watched Crazy Rich Asians ya... so I was amazed with the overall outcome of this story, more so from a male author perspective.

It's about the relationship between Rufus and Eden on how it has grown and blossom. They were best of friends since small, growing up together with Rufus's sisters. Their family and friends are either their frenemy or their support. With a splash of typical Asian parenting and diva drama, it definitely adds pizzazz to the book and made it chaotic, Asian style!

"Chinese mother's show love through criticism."

TBH, the plots were predictable that I could even guess the ending, but it was still an entertaining read that it kept me flipping the pages! I do like the way it was written so it was a breeze reading this novel and it did remind me of Dynasty in Asian setting LOL! It's like a mash between Sophie Kinsella, Jesse Q Sutanto and Jackie Collins.

"He took a deep breath and gazed deep into Eden's eyes. "It's just that I'm in love with you."

The plot building and the characters in this novel, though may seemed common in reality, was relatively enthralling to say the least. With the way it was written, it sure was engaging to boot! I might look for the remaining books by this author when I have the spare time to read. If you like Asian family drama with some comedic excitement, do pick Kevin Kwan's Lies and Weddings! 

Thank you so much to Times Books and Penguin Random House for this signed copy!!!

[MPOV] Edge of Divergence (The Alliance #3)

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads rating: 5/5

Published: July 24, 2024

Author: Stefanie Chu

Genre: Fantasy fiction

"If judgment is by how I see it, I would plunge your world into chaos."

As tensions rise and friendships fracture, the bonds that once held Mirari and her comrades together are tested to their limits. In a race against time, they must navigate treacherous paths, confront their deepest fears, and commit sacrifices that will determine the future of their world. Will they find the strength to forge a new destiny or succumb to the chaos that threatens to consume everything they hold dear?

In the epic conclusion of the Alliance series, one wrong choice will forever alter the fate of the world.

Finally, I have my closure, so to speak. Edge of Divergence is the third and final Alliance series by Stefanie Chu. It continued where Mirari and the Knights left off in Birth of Resilience (The Alliance #2). Mirari has been hurt and severed ties with Gaven. An old friend (or is it foe?) suddenly appears out of the blue. The Defiant is killing more innocent civilians and The Blessed is getting the blame. The Knights are getting the bad rep and slowly Fangbane's reliability is in question too. How will it all ends?

The world being built so methodically is slowly crumbling down. I'm just glad that it all has to end somewhere and this was just one of it. I was looking forward to finish reading it but when the time comes, I sort of didn't want it to end. I wasn't expecting such ending so I was a little flummoxed and sad. Sigh!

The author has a knack with words as she could write down all those exciting moments especially the fighting scenes and not get lost of the plot! She can just weave her wand easily and her saga is complete 😂 I'm glad as I didn't get lost with the many plots and characters that entails! But the many kingdoms nearly confused me at times!

What an epic fantasy! What an ending! If you like Grishaverse or Shadowhunters, then this saga is up your alley! Thanks to Canari Publishing and the author for this awesome trilogy 😘