OUR WAYWARD FATE

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗲
𝗕𝘆 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻& 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟑𝟑𝟔
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱:𝟏𝘀𝐭 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓







Ali Chu is the only Asian student at her small-town Indiana high school—until Chase Yu arrives as the new kid. Discovering that he, too, is Chinese American and Taiwanese, Ali is instantly drawn to him. Their shared traditions, language, and cultural roots bring a sense of belonging that Ali has long yearned for. For the first time, she feels seen. She’s not “Allie” trying to fit in with PB&J lunches, but Ali—like the mountain in Taiwan—embracing her true identity.
As Ali and Chase grow closer, their relationship faces resistance from both families, each carrying secrets and expectations rooted in cultural pride and generational pain. A journey to China unveils hidden truths from Ali’s mother’s past, revealing her regrets and her desperate wish to create a better life for her daughter.

While the premise is heartfelt and the language accessible, the storytelling fell short for me. The pacing was inconsistent—the narrative started well, dragged in parts, then abruptly sped up, only to slow down again towards an overly drawn-out ending. Unfortunately, I was not able to relate to the story or its characters. Although the blurb hints at an “enemies-to-lovers” dynamic, that trope never quite materialises. Ali’s annoyance with Chase lasts barely a chapter before their sudden bond transforms into instant romance—filled with rooftop scenes, food-sharing, and flirtatious banter. Unfortunately, the relationship lacked emotional depth; it seemed more like a bond formed out of shared loneliness than a genuine connection.
The humour also didn’t land for me. The name-based puns (“I love Yu.” “Right back at Chu.”) and cow jokes quickly became repetitive. The unexpected twist midway through—shifting from a cultural exploration to a dramatic family conspiracy—felt out of place and underdeveloped, diminishing the emotional weight of the story.
Character development was another weak point. Ali’s parents, especially her mother, were portrayed as stereotypical figures rather than fully realised individuals. The abrupt emotional resolution at the end felt unearned, given the tension built throughout the book. That said, I appreciated the attempt to explore Taiwanese culture and the challenges Asian immigrants face in navigating identity and belonging. Those aspects were meaningful and offered glimpses of authenticity. In the end, I’m rating this book 2.5 stars. Despite its potential and moments of cultural resonance, execution was deficient.

As for recommendations—if you’re interested in a light read that touches on Taiwanese identity and don’t mind a fast-moving teenage romance, you might give it a try. However, readers seeking deeper cultural insight may find richer and more nuanced Taiwanese stories elsewhere.

My Rating:

2.5/5

NOTE:   In this blog, the CONTENT and PICTURES are owned by Samayra Singh, and cannot be used or distributed without permission. Strict legal action will be taken against any infringement.