Starfish Hardcover – September 26, 2017

Huge thanks to Akemi Dawn Bowman and Jennifer Ung from Simon Pulse for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not, in any way, affect my overall opinion of the book and/or the story.For years, I have been on an undying journey to read relatable stories with topics that are either light and typically romantic, or moving and highly emotional. It’s usually a one-hit knockout for me if books are both. The relatability of the novel that I want to talk about today emanates just that, and it’s everything that I’ve ever wanted a contemporary to be and more. I’m so proud to be able to read and feature Akemi Dawn Bowman’s debut novel, Starfish, here on my site today!One of the many reasons why I was so intrigued to read Starfish is because I wanted to see the author’s take on the abusive parent trope. In this book, the MC’s mother clearly had eyes only for herself and the only thing that seemed to matter to her were her physical appearance, how her actions and character affected how people think of her, and she honestly had little care for her children. I have to admit, however, that I loved reading the confrontation scenes between Kiko and her mom, even if it also broke my heart to see how realistic this instance is for those that come from complicated backgrounds.I love how the author was able to elicit strong emotions from me when I read her book, and I am guessing that this is because of Kiko’s innocent yet passionate voice. The way Akemi wrote Kiko’s perspectives were, at times, extremely heartbreaking (especially during the confrontation scenes), and yet there were also instances when I rejoiced for the happiness that Kiko felt when she met Jamie, his family, and other important characters. The impressive writing style paved the way for a fast-paced reading experience that is guaranteed for readers, especially for those who have hearts for a YA Contemporary.Kiko’s character development all throughout the book is noteworthy too. From being a daughter who had nothing but insecurities, to becoming an artist who loved telling stories through her drawings and paintings, everything was so well-written. The transformation was, for lack of better terms, impressive. I appreciated how Akemi took her precious time letting us see Kiko’s world through her eyes, and walking us through her life filled with familial heartbreaks and disappointment. In the end, Kiko might have not been able to completely overcome her social anxiety, but she did learn to wholeheartedly accept herself and her roots, and that alone made me love this book so much.Lastly, I also think the romance aspect of the story might have been a little too subtle for me, but I know it will be perfect for lots of other readers. I like the roller coaster of a relationship Kiko and Jamie had from the start, and I like the fact that they were able to rekindle their past relationship before engaging in one that was purely romantic. This gave their love story a stronger foundation, and all the more believable. I think it’s also worth noting that Kiko and Jamie have great chemistry together, and they honestly felt like 2 characters that were really made (or written) for each other. Being together turned them into something else entirely, and I love how they both brought out the best in each other.“With characters that are extremely easy to root for, an antagonist that readers will surely love to hate, a romance story that’s healthy in all aspects, and an extra impressive writing style and pacing, Starfish, obviously has the makings of a bestseller. I didn’t expect for this book to make me feel so lovely in my own skin, and I hope everyone gets the opportunity to read this as well. What troubles me now, however, is that this book greatly heightened my expectations for YA Contemporaries, and I only hope to be lucky enough to read a story that’s as good as this one in the future.”

**Received an e-arc copy for which I am voluntarily providing an honest review, originally posted on My Fangirl Chronicles.**Trigger Warnings: emotional abuse, childhood sexual abuse, racism, social anxiety, attempted suicideI'm the type of reader that has a tendency to become really attached to characters, especially the protagonist that we follow throughout the story. They either become a character who I can see myself being friends with, or a character who I can relate to in some way. With Kiko Himura, the protagonist in Starfish, it was different because I didn't only see one or the other. This time... I saw me. And coming to that realization was equal parts terrifying and wondrous.I understood and identified with Kiko on such a deep and emotional level that I found it to be such a struggle to read the first half of the book because that is when we are first shown the unhealthy and destructive home-life Kiko and her siblings live in. It was awful, heartbreaking, and rage-inducing to see her mother be so selfish, narcissistic, and delusional to the point where it was physically draining for her own children to be anywhere near her. Kiko has social anxiety - something I can definitely relate to but never really had a name for until reading this book. There were moments in the book where I wanted to reassure Kiko that everything would be okay and that all she needed to do was take a chance, but I also acknowledged how scary taking that leap can be. I've always been the quiet type growing up, and didn't try breaking out of my shell until college, but I also know that despite going through that, I still have some degree of social anxiety and that is something that is just part of who I am. Like Kiko, I've had to learn - and am still trying to everyday - to accept and see the beauty in myself, quirks and all.I found myself feeling so proud and excited for Kiko as she explored California and discovered more about her Asian culture - a significant part of herself that she had missed out on growing up because of her terrible mother. Maybe because it's so appalling for me to fully grasp, but I could not understand how her mother could have married and had three children with Kiko's Asian father, and still be so racist towards anything Asian (even something as simple as anime, for heaven's sake!), to the point where it distorted her perception of beauty. To Kiko's mother, there was only one form of beauty: skinny, blonde, and blue-eyed, and anything differing from that was a flaw. I am not Japanese, nor am I half of anything, but I am a Filipino Asian American who grew up in California, so seeing Kiko finally break free from her racist and toxic home town - and even worst mother - was such a relief. It was beautiful seeing Kiko discover, not only her Asian culture, but also an inner strength and courage she never knew was there.The whole best-friends-turned-lovers arc is something I'm always wary about in books because I don't believe in it, but the romance between Kiko and Jamie was so sweet and beautifully developed. It did not feel like insta-love at all. On the contrary, Kiko and Jamie actually go through a lot of growth throughout their friends-to-more-than-friends relationship and it was so lovely to see that. Jamie is sweet, charming, understanding, and, like Kiko, has an artistic eye. Except while she utilizes pencils and paints to create images, Jamie captures them with his camera. He and Kiko hadn't seen each other since they were children so the awkward reunion period was understandable; they were different people now, more grown up and have gone through so many things in their short lives, Kiko especially. I liked how Jamie did not immediately know about Kiko's social anxiety and had to gradually learn to be more patient and understanding with her.Poignant, absolutely beautiful, and filled to the brim with raw emotions, Starfish will slowly shatter your heart then put it back together again; this time more whole, filled with an unyielding light, and beating stronger than ever before. A truly inspirational and empowering read about family, love, and self-discovery that will forever stay with me.

My son is about 100 pages into this book and is enjoying it! Not too difficult to read or follow the story. Good story about difficulties in life.