This is not a genre I usually read. However, it wasn't the genre aspects that I found unappealing. I got the book rather late and kept loosing interest when I would sit down to read it. The writing style wasn't bad and the main character was well developed, but ... I thought Calvin was rather two-dimensional, the less than stellar best friend (whom I thought had the more interesting dynamic with the Holland and would have found more plot dedicated to that relationship much more interesting) seemed petty without much reason, Holland was another spoiled white girl in NYC, and OMG THAT IS NOT AT ALL HOW IMMIGRATION WORKS!!!! During every scene where procedure was mentioned I was at least rolling my eyes if not throwing the book the at wall. It required way more suspension of belief than I could muster.
So much of this felt like a draft of ideas that didn't really connect and still needed to be developed more. Some just dropped off entirely. The broken arm which is a major plot point in the beginning of the novel just sort of stops randomly and is never mentioned again. After depending on her uncles to support her for years she can suddenly make ends meet waiting tables (after getting a job with zero experience)? Also, where are these other friends that are vaguely mentioned? Is Lulu supposed to be Hollands only friend?
So much of this felt like a draft of ideas that didn't really connect and still needed to be developed more. Some just dropped off entirely. The broken arm which is a major plot point in the beginning of the novel just sort of stops randomly and is never mentioned again. After depending on her uncles to support her for years she can suddenly make ends meet waiting tables (after getting a job with zero experience)? Also, where are these other friends that are vaguely mentioned? Is Lulu supposed to be Hollands only friend?