The fun, feel-good book the world needs!
The feel-good novel the world needs right now! I was a fan of Yoon's debut, Frankly in Love, so his follow-up book was among my most anticipated for 2020. While Super Fake Love Song doesn't quite have the emotional reach of its predecessor, I still found myself smiling, enjoying the light, sweet, gooey fun Yoon delivered. As a hopeless romantic who loves music, it's the perfect combination to keep me turning pages.
Sunny has been the recipient of years of bullying since he moved to the upscale California neighborhood of Rancho Ruby, but ever since he found his best friends, Milo and Jamal (fellow nerds), he’s been content with his nerd status. Until he meets Cirrus Soh. And when Cirrus assumes Sunny’s older (rocker) brother’s room is his—and she thinks it’s ultra cool that he’s in a band—he panics and goes along with it, setting off a series of small lies that snowball, of course.
While much of the plot is predictable, I had fun on the journey. There are lessons to be learned about being happy with yourself, but also about not putting yourself--or others--in a box. Giving yourself and your relationships permission to change and grow.
Sunny's story is not only about his friendships, it's also about his relationship with his brother Gray and their parents, too. Just like a lot of families, they've stopped really looking at each other, assuming things are fine when no one says otherwise. His parents are busy with work, trying their best to keep up with the lifestyle expected in the neighborhood. But it's Sunny and Gray's story that is one of my favorite sub-plots of the book, and I was happy it got the attention it deserved.
I have to mention the adorable cover (created by Timba Smits), as well as the very detailed and colorful map by David Yoon included on the front endpapers. Both are extra fun details.
David Yoon states in the acknowledgments that this was the “fun” novel he needed to write this year, and personally, I think it fulfilled its mission. Yoon has found a permanent place on my must-read authors list.
Sunny has been the recipient of years of bullying since he moved to the upscale California neighborhood of Rancho Ruby, but ever since he found his best friends, Milo and Jamal (fellow nerds), he’s been content with his nerd status. Until he meets Cirrus Soh. And when Cirrus assumes Sunny’s older (rocker) brother’s room is his—and she thinks it’s ultra cool that he’s in a band—he panics and goes along with it, setting off a series of small lies that snowball, of course.
While much of the plot is predictable, I had fun on the journey. There are lessons to be learned about being happy with yourself, but also about not putting yourself--or others--in a box. Giving yourself and your relationships permission to change and grow.
Sunny's story is not only about his friendships, it's also about his relationship with his brother Gray and their parents, too. Just like a lot of families, they've stopped really looking at each other, assuming things are fine when no one says otherwise. His parents are busy with work, trying their best to keep up with the lifestyle expected in the neighborhood. But it's Sunny and Gray's story that is one of my favorite sub-plots of the book, and I was happy it got the attention it deserved.
I have to mention the adorable cover (created by Timba Smits), as well as the very detailed and colorful map by David Yoon included on the front endpapers. Both are extra fun details.
David Yoon states in the acknowledgments that this was the “fun” novel he needed to write this year, and personally, I think it fulfilled its mission. Yoon has found a permanent place on my must-read authors list.