3.25 ☆

⤿ the plot: wonderstruck follows serena and tyler, two seniors in high school who are trying to navigate through personal struggles and challenges. this book explores topics like grief, bullying, self discovery, and personal growth.


i want to start by saying that at first, i really enjoyed the book! it was fast paced and the characters were very lovable, especially tyler. it wasn’t giving 5 star feelings but it was still really enjoyable. although, after some time, it started to get repetitive and some scenes just didn’t make sense to me, making me lose interest. don’t get me wrong though, i still had a fun time! the chemistry between tyler and seren was exquisite! and tyler was literally so sweet and caring!! 💗



⤿ ”you’re my ray of sunshine.”



another thing i didn’t quite enjoy was the many modern references that were mentioned. it didn’t take away anything from the book, but… i would’ve appreciated it if their were less of them mentioned.

also, there was an 18+ scene in the book. i feel like it was weird and unnecessary. and if im being honest, quite unexpected, especially considering the book is marketed as ya.

overall, i had such a fun time reading the book and i’d definitely recommend it to those looking for a quick romance read! just don’t go into it with high expectations! it is a debut novel after all 🫶🏻💗

ARC Review!!

Serena has been homeschooled, sheltered herself from connections. Her senior year has come and she is ready to go back to high school. Serena has her expectations and wants of what she wants her senior year to go like. However she still has her own trauma she hasn't dealt with and this becomes a problem.
Serena ends up meeting Tyler, having a spark and not thinking anything of it as she believes they won't run into each other again. Turns out they go to the same high school and are put together in multiple situations.
Serena is trying to juggle her feelings for Tyler but is scared of getting hurt due to her own trauma. Tyler tries to pull away at her walls but will it be enough?

This book was cute, I liked the plot and the storyline. Two people who put off dating, wanting to focus on their future who end up finding each other. I have always thought you find your person when you aren't looking for them and this is exactly what happened to Serena and Tyler. Very high school vibes, a little unrealistic in my option. I feel like they were written as characters who weren't in high school therefore it felt unrealistic to me. It does have spice scene.
The ending was super cute, I loved seeing where they were at 2 years down the line. It was an okay book overall.
2.5 stars!

This was a cute cozy read about a high school romance between Serena and Tyler. Both of them are on their last year of high school and are dealing with trying to understand who they are and what they want to do in the future. The chemistry between Serena and Tyler was so good, and the way they cared for each other.

Well. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it was a cute read but on the other hand it just felt a bit cringey. Some parts just didn’t fit the current atmosphere of the book and felt out of place. I’m giving it 3 stars instead of 2 as it is a YA romance and it was a light quick read that in my opinion is perfect if you just want something chill especially now in the summer weather.

I loved how the plot was the characters having internal conflict/growth. I was rooting for Serena andTyler, not just for their relationship, but for them to get stronger as people. The plot was also the right pace for me! The author did a wonderful job of building Serena and Tyler’s friendship and chemistry and it’s also a slow burn romance.

I could personally relate with Serena on not letting people in because they might leave. She also plays with a hair tie to help with her anxiety and I have something similar for helping my cope and it was so nice to feel represented as someone who struggles with anxiety. I also liked her sunny personality and how she works at a boba shop! Tyler is a new book boyfriend! He was one of the sweetest guys I have ever seen in books. This is what all boyfriends need to aspire to be. He also has a sunny personality and was very respectful towards others. He also has anxiety and the way he helps Serena with hers was so heartwarming.

I want more of these side characters and I wish they were featured more but I understand they weren’t the main focus of the book. They were so fun! Alli and Jared need their own book and if they do, I'm reading it in a heartbeat.

This is one of the best teen romance novels I’ve ever read. It has great representation, loveable and relate characters, and cozy vibes (fall fest!!!) read this book when it comes out.

𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
► people who like friends to lovers

► he falls first and harder trope lovers

►slowburn stans

►high school romance readers

𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒃𝒖𝒛𝒛.𝒏𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒄!

first, I want to thank the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC of this book.

I went into this with high expectations, as I had seen some great reviews online. Sadly, I was greatly disappointed.
I gave this novel 2.5 out of 5 stars for the following reasons:

1. The Writing
I am so so sorry but the writing just was not it for me. It did not feel smooth in any way whatsoever. I regularly stumbled across phrasing that just stopped my reading flow.

2. The Grammar
Similarly to point number 1, it just stopped my reading flow. I am not an expert on english grammar, as it is not my native language, but I noticed a lot of sentences that were just not correct. This is obviously not the authors fault alone! I just think more people should have proofread this before publishing it.

3. The mmc (Tyler)
He is just such a red flag. Let me show why with some of my *favourite* quotes...

""More like surprised to see someone else who appreciates quiet corners at these things. Most girls are usually taking selfies or trying to play beer pong.”"
you might think, "what is wrong with this sentence, he just doesn't like beer pong". WRONG! He is trying to compliment our main girl, but he apparently is incapable of doing that without belittling other women!

"she looks so… cute being angry.”
NO EWW DO NOT DISCREDIT HER FEELINGS!!!!

“It's clear she's feeling uneasy, but I'm here with her, and that's all that matters.”
ONCE AGAIN her feelings are ignored!!!

“I have this urge to keep her by my side so the world knows she's with me.”
just no.

4. The absolute lack of feelings
I felt nothing. I did not feel anything for the main characters, not even pity at their backstories. And the romance had some cute scenes in theory, but they were just written so poorly, that I did not get butterflies once. I guess this is technically just an extension of point 1.

5. The side characters
I swear I do not know anything about these people. It is just like: This is Alli. Her role is best friend. She maybe has a relationship with someone but we don't really care. She has no backstory and no personality except from weird slang and one hobby.

What I will say however is that I liked the premise of this book. The story itself was cute, just executed really poorly. I feel like most of this review could have been avoided by more proofreading.

my detailed commentary of this story can be found in my goodreads reading activity!

This review will, as always, be available on Goodreads, NetGalley and Storygraph!
I will not be posting about this on my Instagram, as I choose not to post about books I rated less than 3.5 out of 5.

This book was perfect.
I loved the side plots and both main characters back stories. They added so much depth and meaning to the plot. Tyler is one of my new favourite book boyfriends and Serenas character development was amazing.
The music references were on point and some of the quotes were just perfect. "Meeting him was like listening to a song for the first time and it just clicks - becoming my favourite song that I want to have on repeat forever."
One of my favourite romances this year. ❤️

First of all – I Love the dedication. It’s not often that a dedication can set the tone for a book, but Seraphina Chen’s heartfelt note at the beginning of "Wonderstruck" does just that, hinting at the warmth and charm to come.

The best way to describe this book is cute. It’s an absolute swoon-fest, a feel-good YA romance that left me with a smile that lasted long after I finished the last page. Tyler, the leading man, is the epitome of a cinnamon roll character. His sweet demeanor and unique flirtatious style make him utterly irresistible. Despite being the big man on campus, Tyler brings an unpretentious energy to the story, proving that sometimes, the quietest hearts hold the most fire.

Chen's strength lies in her character depth. The devil is indeed in the details, and this book is brimming with them. Serena and Tyler are crafted with such nuance and care that they leap off the page and into reality. Their interactions and growth feel authentic, making their romance even more endearing.

Speaking of character development, let’s not forget the side characters, who are nothing short of phenomenal. From the quintessential best friend who’s always there to offer support and sage advice, to the protective brother with a heart of gold, and the long-past nemesis who adds a touch of drama, each character enriches the story. Their presence enhances the main narrative, creating a vibrant, well-rounded world.

If you’re a fan of the cinnamon roll leading lad with a perfect “he falls first” trope and are looking for a feel-good high school romance sprinkled with some spectacular cheer drama, then "Wonderstruck" is definitely the book for you. Seraphina Chen’s latest is a delightful read that wraps you in its warmth and leaves you eagerly awaiting her next story.

Thanks to BookBuzz.net via NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book and read it completely in one sitting!! The way the relationship builds and he does everything he can to protect her is so cute!! I can’t wait to recommend it to my friends!!!

This was such a cute story! 🥹 I love the chemistry between Tyler and Serena. It was a quick read, ideal if you want to get out of a reading slump! I hope that Seraphina will write a book about Jared and Alli 🤭 You should read this if you’re looking for a brothers best friend, high school romance!

Thank you Netgalley and BookBuzz.net for this arc!

Book Review
Book Title-> Wonderstruck
Release date-> August 2024
Author-> Seraphina chen
Tropes-> Friends to lovers, Brother's best friend, bucket list, teen love story, high school romance, sunshine mmc × sunshine fmc, cheerleading FMC, dual POV, slowburn romance, she's his tutor

The book is good with a simple plot and beautiful scenes.

Serena Inthavong, the fmc joins high school after years of being home schooled. She decides to live her life for herself and makes a bucket list to complete before her school ends.

Tyler, the mmc decides to stay away from parties, love and relationships after his breakup. He is so hard on himself while trying to be the responsible son and best brother.
After serena and tyler meet for the first time, they both feel a pull that brings them close to each other no matter how hard they try to suppress their feelings. Tyler is the first one to realize his feelings and eventually serena admits her feelings too despite of her having abandonment issues. Ofcourse yes cause it would be almost impossible to not fall in love with the boy who helps her to tick every single wish from her bucket list.
Tyler is the perfect sunshine mmc and his nickname for Serena is cute.
But at some scenes i felt the description or placement a little odd. Like the lake scene where they start kissing and making out, it felt like a rush of things while reading. And there are few more scenes where i felt the same way. But considering this is authors debut novel, she did a very good job to bring the life to the story.
I enjoyed reading the book as i'm in search of simple plots with no high drama. I liked taylor swift references, they are cute.

Dear Author,
Congrats on your first book. The story, description, scenes, emotions are all very good. I'm definitely gonna add Tyler in to my book boyfriends list (like who wouldn't love a boy who listens to Taylor Swift). And the funny thing is i tried Thai green tea and i actually liked it. Hoping to read more books written by you in the future.
All the best.

If you're looking for a high school romance with a bit touch of sports romance, Brother's best friend tropes, grab this book and get in to the story.

Thank you NetGalley and BookBuzz for the book arc.

This book had be gripped from the first few pages the way not many other YA books have recently but honestly, Boba could do that to anyone.
The chemistry between these two was really interesting and I enjoyed the back and forth in emotions between the two of them.
Out main characters back and forth was something that I really had fun with, it was witty and funny. Emotionally when it needed to be, it really hit the heart strings in parts.

I think the one thing that really brought me out of it was specifically mentioning songs titles and artists, it kind of took me out of the groove a little.
But honestly, it was the only thing that really gave me that feeling within the book.

Loved the writing style and pacing was okay, could use some finetuning but it wasn't anything to be concerned about to be honest.

Tropes:
- coming of age
- dual pov
- cheerleader x lacrosse player
- slow burn
- he falls first
- asian representation

This book was a cute summer romance read! The chemistry between Tyler and Serena was on point! It felt very YA but there is a spice scene that did kinda come out of nowhere and felt like it didn’t fit.

Tropes:
•he falls first
•friends to lovers
•dual povs
•brother’s best friend
•lacrosse player x cheerleader

Things I liked-
I think Seraphina did a good job touching on deeper feelings and anxiety in this book! I think it’s important to show that the characters in the books we read are just like us and not everyone is rainbows and butterflies.

Tyler was always there for Serena and kept her calm and grounded. I love him calling her sunshine and seeing the beauty in what Serena considered her flaws.

I loved the chemistry and slow build up between Tyler and Serena’s relationship as well. That even though Serena was trying to push her feelings away Tyler was there waiting for her.

Wonderstruck is a refreshing take on high school romance that blends the excitement of senior year with personal growth and unexpected twists. Serena Inthavong, who’s determined to break free from her old, safe routines, finds herself navigating a chaotic high school world and a return to cheerleading. Tyler Westman, juggling responsibilities and seeking something real, is drawn to Serena’s vibrant spirit. The book captures the essence of teenage struggles and romance in a way that feels genuine and relatable. I loved how it portrayed the complexity of growing up and finding oneself, making it a great read.

can i get a round of applause because seraphina chen served this book on the FINEST golden platter. imagine if 'high school musical' and 'to all the boys i've loved before' had an extremely successful child, that is this book in a nutshell. from the first page, i was HOOKED!! i didn't know how much i loved a good rom-com before this

the amount i smiled reading this is UNREAL omgggg!! facial muscles were fr working overtime.
the dialogue was soooo cute and i cannot wait to share my favourite quotes on release day which is August 2nd. thank you to 'Bookbuz.net' for providing me with this eARC. I NEED to buy a physical copy for my shelf so bad

even though i just finished this i'm going to have to add it to my 'to be read' AGAIN!! SERAPHINA GIRL, WHAT DID YOU PUT IN YOUR BOOK BECAUSE MY GOSH!! I can't wait to read her future work, (sis better drop Jarred and Allie's story next ) best believe i'm going to be first in the queue for EVERY next release. overall yes. I highly recommend you read this one!!

I already miss Serena and Tyler so muchhh. Tyler is such a green flag, from the get-go and it's adorableee how shy this golden boy gets when he's around his crush. Like I'm actually obsessed with them both. seeing serena flourish into the main character of her own story made me feel like a proud mum guys I could pick a high school romance to experience in real life it would be this one!! I do want to note that there are a lot of pop culture references which had me cackling as it was exactly my humour. however, this may not make sense if you aren't familiar with gen-z lingo. YOU guys have to read this, especially if you're a boba or Thai green latte enthusiast. personally i'm a boba girliee <33

I really wanted to like this, but I was not vibing with it. It felt so cheesy and like the author was trying way too hard to be relatable. I’m not sure if English is just maybe not the authors first language, but the wording and sentence structure was weird a lot of the time. I’m not usually picky about things that like, but it was very obvious and I just didn’t enjoy it.

I think the concept had potential but I think the author tried too hard.

Rating: 3/5
Genre: Romance

Read if you love the following tropes 📋:
- Friends to Lovers
- Brother's Best Friend
- Dual POV
- Cheerleader/Tutor x Lacrosse

Thank you NetGalley & Seraphina Chen for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wonderstruck follows two high school seniors, Serena and Tyler, both navigating their own personal grief.

Serena, homeschooled for four years, decides to conquer her fears and attend Skyline High School for her senior year. Where she meets, Tyler Westman, Skyline High lacrosse player & Thai green tea lover!

In the first half of Wonderstruck, I truly enjoyed the chemistry between Serena and Tyler, as well as her friendship with Alli.

However, the second half of the book felt extremely repetitive, as if the same conversations were on loop.

The pace and smoothness of the story also stood out to me, as I felt the transitions between scenes were abrupt. The dialogue, with its modern-day references, had me cringing at times.

Regardless, I believe this is a good beginner book for anyone who wishes to read or escape the horrors of a reading slump.

Thank you NetGalley!!
Release date: August 2nd, 2024

Serena meets Tyler at work when he orders a Thai green tea, which happens to be Serena’s favorite drink as well. Then BOOM *instant chemistry* They keep meeting and…

This was a fun, lighthearted read but it also had some serious themes in it, like parent loss and bullying. I liked Serena and Tyler a lot! Even so, I really didn't have a lot of feelings for this book. It just wasn't what I was looking for. While Serena had vulnerable moments, Tyler didn't have any and I didn't feel as connected to him as I should have. Also, the spice scene was completely random and unnecessary, especially with them being 18. This would be a good book to read if you are looking for a happy palette cleanser, although not an amazing 5-star read. It was really fun and I enjoyed the vibe! I would recommend it as a back-to-school read :)

One of the things I really liked about this book was the fact that first it has both perspectives and I love a book with that.. But to be honest and yes I did liked Serena perspective but I did prefer Tyler, but I also think that miscommunication can screw things and I know they were still growing up but still they should have talked more

Simply cute, with a surprising amount of character nuance and description. Very easy read, and easily absorbing, but fairly lightweight.

Oh and I beg all authors of this genre to stop name dropping Taylor Swift - we get it!!