(4.5/5) This was so good and seriously bingeable. I know my Goodreads record might show that I read this over a month, but really I finished all of it over a few days as I was so busy at the beginning that I didn’t actually get beyond the first couple of pages.

While this book does raise and tackle serious issues (for example a near-miss with sexual assault of a secondary character, recollections of generational trauma), it is also hilarious with plenty of light-hearted, feel-good moments. I think that balance made it ‘easy’ to read because I never felt too exhausted by all the questions raised, especially as these issues are certainly alive and well today. It was great to have some discussion questions at the end of the book too!

My favourite thing in this book was the nuance. Eliza isn’t a mould of a ‘good’ feminist; she learns about and questions what she thought ‘feminism’ was, as I’m sure many of us have and continue to do. I really enjoyed Eliza’s reflection on her beliefs and behaviour, and realising that her sister and mother aren’t necessarily ‘anti-feminist’ just because they don’t label themselves, or don’t navigate the world in the same way that Eliza does. There is also welcome representation of ‘girl power’ in different forms and a critique of internalised misogyny. Serena was my favourite side character, and I loved that she was the ‘girly girl’ initially dismissed who then became so invaluable with her power and agency recognised. It was great to see Serena get a development arc in addition to Eliza!

This is a book that would have been amazing to read as a teen and I’m glad at least that today’s young people get to discuss these issues in the context of a nuanced narrative. It feels quite important that there is the space allowed for flawed and problematic views to get depicted so they can then be unpicked. When sexism is as ingrained into modern society as it is, I feel like it is especially necessary to directly break down why certain ostensibly ‘common-sense’, ‘way of the world’ views can actually be harmful. Eliza isn’t perfect – who is during the tumultuous, intense social pressure cooker that is teenagehood? – but I enjoyed watching her grow and learn new things alongside her.

The bit about where that commonly quoted ‘well-behaved women seldom make history’ line comes from blew. My. Mind. Context is everything! And it’s so true, isn’t it? While this isn’t quite the same, the scene reminded me of the long focus by archaeology studies on elites (especially men) and their remains and stories.

Our charismatic male lead, Len, might not have been rendered in as much depth as Eliza, but I ended up liking him all the same. I did go through a period of intense dislike where I expected the romance to culminate in a catastrophic collapse in a nice twist or ‘lesson’, but I enjoyed how Len shows that men can totally be feminists too. The romance was quite shippable, though it did seem to suddenly escalate in a way that felt almost out of character? That said, who knows, as I’m sure a lot of hormones were surging about for the both of them! Aside from the romantic arc, I would have also liked to see more on Eliza and her sister Kim’s relationship development too.

Just a quick bonus thing I loved in this book before I wrap up: I enjoyed the Cantonese immensely! I wasn’t expecting it and I had a great time pointing out all the funny bits to my family, especially the ones about Eliza’s own family.

Overall, this was an entertaining and engrossing read that also manages to address complicated issues of sexism, feminism and family with nuance and skill. I’d recommend particularly if you like characters who aren’t classic ‘good’ and make mistakes that the reader too can learn from.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was incredibly fast paced and engaging.
I really liked both main characters, and while it would have been nice to see more interactions with some of the side characters. Overall this was a fun fast read, and I had a good time with it.

I had a really great time reading this, I speed ran my way through it honestly. The writing was very addictive to read, the characters were all very fleshed out and entertaining to read, and I really liked the plot and the way it was executed

I loved this it’s such a great YA romcom, a fantastic read about being Asian and feminist in the USA and it taught me so much. There’s such great friendships in this story, some unlikely friendships grow and some were challenged. It’s a wonderful story

This was the first book I've read from this author and I enjoyed it very much. It was very well written and the characters were well thought out.

I spent the weekend in bed letting the vaccine work its magic and NOT HERE TO BE LIKED was the perfect companion.

This book accepts the messy, complicated feelings that come with being a young feminist. It doesn't flinch away from real topics: Periods! Acne! Sex! I also love that it doesn’t give you all the answers – because there aren’t any – but it holds up a mirror to the questions you have. I would’ve loved to have had it in high school.

The writing is also so, so clever. I went back and re-read lines, dialogue and whole scenes just to laugh/marvel at them again. 10/10, would recommend – this book was an utter delight.

I wanted to love this book but I just found the main character hard to relate to. I don’t need my main characters to be likeable, in fact some of my favourites are hideously awful. Well written and a good storyline.

This was powerful book with a powerful message. It details the brutality of high school and rumours and how quickly they spread whilst also empowering girls to speak up and speak out. The feminism in this story was great and I loved how although Eliza was supposed to be an h likeable character, you ended up understanding her point of view and liking her in the end. The characters were all different and each had unexpected personality traits. Serena’s character was one I found particularly interesting as I liked that even though she was stereotypically interested in “girly” things her character’s strength, power and ambition was amazing. This was an overall incredible read and is throughly recommend it to anyone seeking unlikeable characters, feminism and a generally good story that is impossible to put down.

Not Here to be Liked is an original, funny and heartwarming book which is an absolute joy to read. Its one you won't regret picking up.

I loved this story with all my heart! There is nothing better than a female protagonist not taking any shit from anyone else and Eliza is certainly that. She is strong, fierce and unafraid. I love the trope of two characters having to come together to solve a problem as is and this was simply excellent. I really enjoyed the snarky dialogue, the romance, the feminist themes and generally this book.

This was cute! I really liked the slow burn romance and how it developed so naturally and also the undertones of feminism and how liking men does not mean you're not a feminist.

This was a really lovely heart-warming YA. The characters were enjoyable and the rivalry was extremely fun to watch unravel.

I think I've outgrown YA because this just didn't do anything for me.

I liked the Asian representation but the characters really didn't warm to me at all.

I adored this book! I'm not surprised, unlikeable female characters are one of those things that can make a bad book great -- and this was already a good book.

This was a brilliant academic rivals to lovers read, and the emotional arcs are amazing!! I loved this story so much!!

'A feminist should not spend the majority of her time thinking about a boy. The problem is that I have been spending a lot of time thinking about Len.'

Not Here to be Liked is my dream book because it combines feminism, incredible friendships and romance! Michelle Quach made this such an empowering but also cosy read and I loved it.
Eliza's journey from the beginning raises so many important questions about the idea of 'good' and 'bad' feminists, and the difference in treatment of men and women - seen in the school's reactions to Eliza and Len throughout their rivalry/relationship.

If you haven't read this yet please do!! You won't regret it

Female characters being 'unlikeable' immediately makes me like them, but when the female character isn't really unlikeable and is, in fact, simply unafraid, I instantly fall for them. You can call her rude, hotheaded, and stubborn; or you can call her confident, determined, and ambitious. The way Eliza's attitude could be labelled as either, and not just the latter, tells a lot about the societal constrictions through which girls are perceived—and this YA contemporary excellently comments on the same.

Eliza, Chinese-Vietnamese-American, is snubbed as the next editor-in-chief of the school paper for Len, white-Japanese former basketball player. Now Eliza is left wondering how a less qualified male peer impressed everyone to win votes for this position: is it his irresistible charm, or him being more likeable, or him benefitting from a sexist school system? She decides to pour her mind out in a rage-filled article on a newsroom computer, covering everything from merit, or the lack thereof, to the institutionalized sexism at her school. When the piece is immediately taken down, Eliza comes under a spotlight and takes the torch to shine a light on feminism, against misogyny, and for herself.

Between leading a feminist reckoning and falling for the boy she's asking to step down, Eliza continues to uphold her imperfectness if being vocal as a woman is one. She knows the acknowledgments she deserves and she isn't shying away from shouting about it, no matter how strongly the patriarchal systems and microaggressions try to suffocate her. In addition to dismantling the repeated criticisms women often receive—not being too nice'—this story wonderfully targets internalized misogyny, girl on girl hate, gender stereotypes, racism and classism; all the while unravelling the Asian-American experiences of immigrant children, the familial pressure they carry, and the need for achievements when you're a marginalized personality.

The romance is classic through a rivals-to-lovers trope set against a high school backdrop and supported by adorable moments and a relationship gradually building upon cute scenarios, genuine conversations, and wholesome visits to get boba. All in all, this debut stood strong on feminist grounds and gave me the same emotional rush of cheering for a female protagonist who refuses to be complacent or boxed in gentleness that From Twinkle, With Love brought—and, in fact, doubled it up with delight, despite the title saying it's not here to be liked.

Quach's story was the perfect read, almost addictively sweet I wanted to keep reading even after the story ended. Its sweetness was complimented by its approach of heavy issues that was intertwined in this story along with the great characters of eliza and len. Sometimes I felt like issues that could've been deeper dug into were brushed past, but for the most part this book was fun and lively and a nice take on the issues of today blended with the romance we all love. It will leave your head buzzing, not just at the cuteness of the back and forth between the two protagonists, but also leave you feeling an empowerment and courage to forward on the movement of the future of feminism. This book feels brave and raw, its its social issues but also the love is real and descriptive of the struggles for young women in the modern world. A real enjoyment to read.

This book was such a joy to read!

A perfect YA romcom, such an amazing story about feminism, and being Asian in the US. It's the story ALL teens need to read, teaching you so much without you even known about it! The development of the character, especially Eliza is amazing!

Have you ever had a moment when you see the book cover then you read the synopsis and instantly knew that you’re going to like it? That is the beginning of my wonderful journey with Not Here To Be Liked. Upon my approval of the ARC, I put it in my July TBR because I couldn’t wait to read it. A YA feminist contemporary with a Chinese-Vietnamese-American female lead? Say no more.

Before I start explaining on why you should read this book, let me introduce you to Eliza Quan—
her dream is to be the next Buggle’s editor in chief. She was ambitious and know precisely what she wanted. She even believed everything will go as planned until Len DiMartile—the ex-jock, the one who never truly contributed anything significant for the Buggle—decided at the last minute to be the other candidate for the position Eliza has worked hard and sacrificed everything for.

If that’s already piqued your interest, wait until the end of this post because this book was so much more than enemies-to-mutual respect-to-lovers story. Not Here To Be Liked may be the title but this book is certainly going to make readers ending up liking it—or even loving it—because it portrays feminism through the real-life lens, expectations, immigrant families dynamics, being Asian in the US, and so much more wrapped in an easy-to-read writing with lively characters.

I, for one, had a great time savoring this book in only one day. Even though it tackled heavy topics, I never once had the difficulties to digest everything. Instead I kept flipping the pages until 2 A.M. because the writing flowed flawlessly. Through Eliza’s first-person POV, I learned her experience as the second generation immigrant, a multiracial living in the Southern California, and a feminist.

I loved how this book brought out all the little details that were not there only as a description but rather giving backgrounds and soul to the characters which helped me understand them better. For example, the way Eliza’s family sometimes communicate using three languages: Cantonese, Vietnamese, and English. And what I stood out for me—because it speaks to my experience with my sister—is the siblings dynamic between Eliza and her older sister, Kim. How they grew up in the belief of each of their role which was Kim is the pretty one, Eliza is the smart one.

Another detail that I’d like to mention is this book also explored the life of Eliza’s mom before she came to the US. It dived deep enough to tell the readers how big her dream was to change her life from a girl grew up in a camp into a woman with fire in her veins.

The way this book tackled feminism was awesome. Through Eliza, we see how she and her peers view this concept. Thus, feminism in this book was easy and enjoyable to read. I know some people may be wary of it because of somehow it got twisted into something else. But through this book, feminism is about gender equality: not above, not below, but equal. Also, can we talk about how this book also mentioned female hygiene? Because that topic is important and I’d love to see it in more YA contemporary books!

All the themes and topics written in the book would not hit me so hard without the help of the well-developed characters. I will start with Eliza because she’s my favorite! From the first few chapters, Eliza came across as cold, harsh, and unforgiving but all of that only made me like her even more. The truth is I saw myself in her, all the good and bad, and I couldn’t help but rooting for her. Yes, Eliza was “unlikeable”; she could be angry, sad, and aloof but she was also determined, brilliant, and strong.

Of course I wouldn’t left out my girls, Winona and Serena. They surprised me with their own unique traits. Winona was Eliza’s best friend, her passion and strong will pushed her to made movies for the competition even though she got rejected last year. She confronted the stereotype of angry Black women and not backed down against racism. On the other hand, Serena was the popular girl that everyone looked up to. But throughout the story, it revealed that she was so much more than that. Her kindness and loyalty won me over.

From the last two paragraphs, it’s obvious that I’m in love with the female characters and that they’re all amazing! Thus, this book also has one of my favorite girls friendship ever. What I wouldn’t give to spend a day with Eliza, Winona, and Serena drinking boba together.

Oh, and of course there is the romance which I loved so much! I just want to say Eliza and Len look so good together. All the texting and sneaking, writing on articles together, and when they went to a baseball game; my heart could burst from too much yearning and the sexual tension. They were simply adorable! Even though there wasn’t enough Len, he still managed to steal the spotlight with his gentle heart and sweet words.

Overall, Not Here To Be Liked was a page-turner YA contemporary that will urge you to learn more and have a discussion about feminism while also give you joy and the sense of lightness that you couldn’t help but smiling from ear to ear. This has become my favorite contemporary book in 2021 so far. I would recommend it for those who enjoy young adult books with Asian rep, enemies-to-lovers, and currently looking for a read that raised important issues wrapped in a fun, eye-opening, and heartwarming story.