(no subject)

[skygiants]

The chaos of my schedule recently has meant that my preorder of Zen Cho's The Friend Zone Experiment, which I foolishly set as 'bookstore pickup,' sat on the shelf of said bookstore while I cast longing looks in its direction for several months without ever actually managing to go collect it. However I have finally now managed to acquire it and of course then read it in approximately 24 hours because once I pick up one of Zen's books I always find it nearly impossible to put down and this one was no exception.

I love the way Zen writes the nuances of interpersonal dynamics, with charm and humor and deep attention to the details of how specific individuals relate to each other -- I rate The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo as one of my favorite romances of all time -- so I had no doubts that I was going to enjoy watching her ambitious Singaporean businesswoman rekindle a romance with her intensely ethical first love when they meet again in London while his family is off the grid. And indeed this was deeply charming and an absolute delight!

I also did not doubt that I was going to enjoy the family dynamics but I had less expectations about that because I did not know what they would be ... but in fact the relationship between Yap Ket Siong and his older brother, the disappearance of whose [best friend/partner/Yap Ket Siong has suspicions but 'right after this guy was possibly murdered by a vengeful corporation' is probably not the time to bring it up] is what sent the whole family off the grid to begin with, was maybe my favorite in the book, closely followed by the main romance and also the lovingly drawn relationship between Renee and her busy but beloved BFF. I also really enjoyed the horrible relationship between Renee and her awful brother, because it was so absolutely terrible most of the time but sometimes it wasn't, and you could feel how much it meant when it wasn't despite the fact that he was, indeed, awful. But also a human being, and also Renee's brother. Anyway, as I said, every character and every dynamic really lovingly and beautifully drawn and I extremely enjoyed spending time with all of them, and a part of me wishes indeed that I had spent longer with them instead of gulping the book down as fast as I could, but I really couldn't help it!

Comments

[thistleingrey]

Good to know that this is out! I really enjoy how Cho writes characters and their interactions.

[skygiants]

It's a delight every time!

[qian]

<333 I enjoyed writing Ket Siong and Ket Hau's relationship too, possibly even more than the romance ... there's something about writing non-plot-load-bearing relationships, there's a lovely freedom about them. Though perhaps I'm making that up, as the relationship between the brothers does do a fair amount of plot work. Anyway I'm glad you enjoyed the book!!

[skygiants]

It does do vital plot work but I think you're right -- especially in romance, you don't necessarily have to know what foot it's going to land on the way you do with the Main Couple who are Going to Feel a certain way about each other by the end. Even if you know things are going to work out all right with the others there's a wider range of shading you can give yourself leave to play with and that's extremely fun! anyway big ups I loved Ket Hau so much, I hope he gives [spoiler] shit for years and years and years

[qian]

Oh he will give [spoiler] shit FOREVER

[chestnut_pod]

Oh, the brother dynamics have made me even more excited for this to come around.

[skygiants]

yesss I hope you dig it when it comes to you!