I always like books that delve into the struggle characters face when they are trying to make their own way in the world and be independent, but at the same time not wanting to give up the connection they feel to their family, home, and culture. This is also a really neat story about the idea that romance can develop even as you are focused on other things. In so many books, the romance is a major focus of the characters' lives, but here it's clear that their feelings caught them off guard. I enjoyed reading from the two different main characters' perspectives--the settings of their lives are so different, but their desires are the same. I also enjoyed the relevance of current events and questions of social justice. I did feel like the world building could have been more developed, but I appreciated how the plot points along the way really fit the ending.