When Annalie comes home one day, she finds a racial slur painted on her garage door. Beyond shook and unsure of how to deal with this, Annalie calls her older sister Margaret who is away at college. Margaret was known as a social justice warrior in high school, so who better to deal with this? But soon Annalie and Margret begin to clash on how to deal with this and, well, everything else too.

While I really liked Margaret, it seemed more like Annalie's story than hers (even though the two sisters get their own POV chapters), and to be quite honest Annalie really grated on me after a while. It seemed like her priorities were simply to be liked by a boy and to enjoy her summer. And I get it, I guess. She's a teenager, and pretty, and unlike her sister, she doesn't look Chinese. I didn't hate this book. In fact, I think books like these are important and necessary in our currently climate, but I didn't love Annalie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

There were a lot of feelings in this book and I think every uncomfortable feeling was very intentional and necessary. Besides those uncomfortable feelings, this was a fun YA contemporary in the best way. There was BAKING!! There was a boy from London!! There was the ex lovers stuck working together trope where it actually WORKED and I loved it!!

Don’t let those fun things distract you from the fact that the point and major plot of this book is the repercussions of a hate crime, but don’t think that the entire book is about awful things.

This Place Is Still Beautiful, by XiXi Tian, follows sisters Annalie and Margaret Flanagan, who are half-Chinese and have been raised by their Chinese single mother after their father walked out on them. When somebody graffitis their garage with a racial slur, Margaret immediately rushes home from her internship in New York. The two sisters come into conflict over what to do; Margaret wants to bring large amounts of attention to it, while Annalie just wants to hide it. Over the course of the summer, they both must grapple with the repercussions of this hate crime, as well as their relationships with their hometown and with each other.

Annalie and Margaret are strikingly different characters. Annalie is the younger one. She's still in high school, and the fact that she's white-passing means that she has never experienced racial discrimination to the same extent as Margaret has, something which shifts her perspective over the course of the story. She just wanted to spend the summer flirting with Thom, a cute boy in her grade, She spent all of high school dealing with the social repercussions of being the outspoken Margaret's sister, so when her sister comes back from college and again starts calling out injustice in their community, Annalie is all the more resentful. However, as she gets a job at a bakery and begins to think more about what she wants to do with her life, she must reevaluate her passive approach to things.

Meanwhile, Margaret spent all of high school campaigning against all sorts of injustice in their town. She had been glad to escape to NYU for college, but returning home forces her to confront her relationship with her mother and with her past wrongs in the form of an internship alongside her ex-boyfriend. She is driven and outspoken, unwilling to compromise her voice for the sake of being more likable.

I went into this book fully expecting to love it; I adore books about sibling relationships, so this sounded right up my alley, particularly since the synopsis seemed to imply that Margaret and Annalie's relationship was the main focus of the book. However, I found myself very disappointed for multiple reasons. For one, Annalie's romance plotline ended up taking up virtually the whole book, overshadowing every other aspect of it. I did not come to this book for a love triangle, nor for listening to Annalie moon over a guy who was obviously the wrong choice. I couldn't even get myself that invested in the other guy, mostly because he felt so superfluous to the entire story. Meanwhile, Margaret's romance plotline was cute, but just did not get the page time or backstory necessary for me to actually care about it. It also doesn't help that the entire plot was completely predictable from about three chapters in, down to every single conflict present and its resolution.

I just wanted more out of this book, honestly. I wanted more depth to the sisters' relationship with each other, since that was frankly the most interesting part of the book. It was definitely enjoyable, and I think the hate crime discussion in it is an important one to have, and one that should be talked about in our media more, but overall I think that the story should have been handled much better. I'm giving This Place Is Still Beautiful 3.5/5 stars.

This was SOOO good! I could not put it down. A great story of sisterhood, family, love, and doing what is right even when it’s tough. Also a great story of microagressions, hate crimes, and racism. I was feeling all the emotions in this book! I also loved the dual point of view. Great read.

An interesting story and I loved the sister dynamic here. Also I love the themes and I think this will resonate well.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading from the two POV’s of the sisters, both of whom are very likable and relatable in vastly different ways. The author does an outstanding job of finding the beauty in the ordinary and in describing the nuances of growing up Asian American in a place that is simultaneously a foreign land and beautiful home of people both good and bad but can be better. A great exploration of the roots and implications of racism in modern-day society fitting for young adults and older ages.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.

Okay, the cover art is STUNNING. I love how the title ties in to an overarching theme of accepting your hometown as an essential part of you, such as "My home, and this place that shaped who I am. Rejecting it would feel like rejecting a part of myself" which is such a BEAUTIFUL quote and resonated with me as someone who hasn't left her hometown when SO many people exclaim how much they're ready to leave. That part of the book I loved, the rest of it...just wasn't it.

I'll rephrase. I really like the conversations it had about racism and the differences between implicit and explicit racism and biases. I think a lot of good conversations could stem from the issues within the book, such as intention and implicit bias; however, the using of a "social justice warrior" as a problem for the plot would only fuel others to continue that rhetoric. Margeret, one of the 2 sisters, faces a lot of wrath for voicing her concerns and issues. Annalie, her sister, doesn't and wants to ignore everything. I also liked the dynamic between the sisters, with Margeret presenting more Asian and Annalie presenting the white side of their genetics.

The writing was meh, which is the main part for the stars deduction. There was a LOT of over explanation, especially with Margeret's chapters. I found myself reading to finish the book rather than reading to enjoy the book. I also hated the love triange but not really a love triangle with Thom and Daniel, and I think Thom really ruined any sort of development Annalie could have had. I was lowkey annoyed by her ignorance.

For a debut, this was good. I think it could start a lot of conversations, but I had issues with the writing and the overall plot.

Reviews Posted: June 1, 2022
Goodreads
Storygraph
TikTok

All of my heartstrings, childhood trauma, and inner conflict were touched by this book. The sisters felt like reflections of me at different points in my life but also the reflection of my friends. The conflict of how to address racism really hit home and made me reflect on a lot of my life.

Annalie reminded me a lot of my younger self and how I viewed being Asian American growing up, and how I confronted racism. Margaret is whom I see a lot of myself in now. And for me this book reminded me of my own growth through the years and how I have become more vocal and bold when confronting people who are racist. As someone who is half Asian and half white, this book does a good job of addressing how I often feel pulled in two directions.

I also really enjoyed the sister's relationship throughout this book because it was complex and imperfect. Sometimes, we have to look past our differences to see how much we have in common and that sisters often have a different outlook on life despite being raised in the same home. By the end of this book, I think they both grew in a way that seemed natural and not rushed. None of these changes were big things, but little things added up over time.

This book was beautiful in so many ways and represented a big part of my life for me.

Amazed to follow the story of these two sisters as we get to see their dynamic as well commentaries on racism relevant to current times. I just wished their personalities were focused upon rather that diverting to other situations (such as the romance, which I wasn't invested in)

I'm not sure why I put off reading this book for so long. I love sibling focused books because I am a big family girl myself. While the sister's perspectives on life is different it offers us a fresh take and duality to every situation they encounter. Encountering a hate crime and navigating it in two different ways was interesting to read and how the sisters became closer in the end through it was warm heart felt. The conflict was emphasized very well and well explored and developed. I think it poached the topic well with sensitivity.

I'm drawn to sibling stories of all kinds, and I really appreciated how the complexity of sister relationships was explored in this book!

Sisters Annalie and Margaret have always been different in how they approach things. When their family is targeted by a hate crime, Margaret wants to track down the perpetrators and hold them accountable, while Annalie struggles to fit in at school and doesn't want to draw attention to herself.

I found both sisters' voices and opinions to be compelling and understandable, and I thought the content of the story was handled well.

I do wish I had been more invested in the sisters' respective subplots, but I felt that the central conflict was stronger.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was such a beautiful story. Loved the dual perspective and how it was a story of sisters who aren't close but go through the ramifications of this horrific hate crime together in their own way. Their individual stories where really great and the scenes together were filled with tension. I will be recommending this book to everyone

You know what else is beautiful? That cover. Hoo boy. Stunning.

I waffled a bit on this rating as of writing this — on whether to round up or not — because while this wasn’t perfect, and I was frustrated and uncomfortable and frustrated some more, I think that’s the whole point. And it’s important to sit with those feelings. And also acknowledge all the complex nuance that this author, and this story, definitely touches on.

“<i>They think me talking publicly about racism is more offensive than a actual hate crime. People would rather I just kept my mouth shut and looked sad. Then they could white knight in and express sympathy without feeling uncomfortable. I’m not in the business of keeping people from feeling uncomfortable</i>.”

Not only is this a very timely story, with timely discussion, I think in general it’s just not something we’ve seen a lot of. Racist conflicts, sure. Siblings feeling pitted against each other, while also trying to navigate complicated parental dynamics, yes. Topics surrounding white-passing, more and more. But this tackled so much more while also delving into all the above.

I found Annalie’s POV and storyline the hardest to stomach not only because I was side-eyeing this guy she had been so keen to date for so long. But also because of what comes out about the hate crime and who was involved and how she, also, becomes involved. And it’s in a very different way than Margaret who is, unlike her younger sister, not white-passing and also the kind of person to shout from the rooftops, rattle chains, and make noise; all of which she does.

<i>What are second chances anyway except the ability to screw up a second time?</i>

And despite this, or maybe because of it, I actually preferred Margaret’s POV and I found her, despite how unlikeable she could be, to be more likeable as a result. Also, her own romance plot? Heartbreaking. The whole catalyst behind that is one of the main issues I was hinting at above but I’m not going to mention because spoilers.

<i>I wish I could talk to her the way I want to. I wish I could make her understand my heart, or that I could understand hers, but between us, there is an entire ocean that we will never be able to cross.</i>

This was definitely a more mature-leaning YA, between the subject matter and some of the topics and how they were handled, and I really appreciated that. This definitely had the right tones for the story. I’m sure I could find things to pick apart (some interactions, particularly in the beginning, didn’t quite fit, and there was definitely an inconsistency or two, but this is an ARC, so, I’ll let it slide, because they weren’t littered throughout) but again I think the strength of this outweighs the few weaknesses.

I worried this couldn’t possibly live up to the pitch (I saw the author speak to the nature and inspiration of this story and was totally mesmerized) but I’m glad this turned out to be a win. For so many reasons.

Would definitely recommend if this is already on your radar! This is a debut you don’t want to miss.

3.5 stars

I received a copy of This Place is Still Beautiful by XiXi Tian from HCC Frenzy in exchange for an honest review.

I don't think that I could have been prepared for this book, despite having read the synopsis prior to reading it. This story is told from the perspectives of two sisters, Annalie and Margaret, who both feel distant and different from one another. This is once again shown when Annalie calls Margaret who is away for college, after a racist incident happens, and Margaret returns home to her younger sister and mother to handle things. The two sisters both have different approaches and reactions to the racist incident. While Margaret wants to find the perpetrators and bring awareness to the situation, Annalie just wants to move on from this horrible incident and hang out with her new boyfriend. As the summer progresses, both sisters confront the results of their actions or non-actions and try to find a way that they can both live and move forward.

I felt that this was such a great story about family, racism, the model minority myth, friendship, and it's just everything I needed to read this year to feel seen, acknowledged, and important. Truly such a beautiful story that is so relevant and a favourite of mine this year so far.

This book follows first loves, second loves, and first loves again. I cannot even express how beautiful the writing is- anything I tried to write would be a disservice to the beautiful prose. I was on the edge of my seat the whole book, just wondering what could possibly happen next. I think the discussion of Anti-Asian hate crimes is incredibly important especially due to the rise in the past few years.

Annalie and Margaret felt so real and their sisterly relationship was so authentic. I can’t speak on any sort of representation in this novel since I am not part of the represented group, but their sisterhood and struggles were so relatable and stirred up a lot of buried feelings in me.

Normally, I’m a reader who knows what they like. This book is character driven instead of plot driven and is a true contemporary book with deep insight into the feelings of the character. None of that is what I normally like. However, this book defied my norms and expectations and I am so glad I read it. The ending was bittersweet which is normally not my favorite, but I think it was necessary for the characters and their lives.

There are not many times when a book leaves me speechless. This Place is Still Beautiful is one of the few.

I loved the book from start to finish. I literally felt as if I were transported into the home of Annalie and Margaret. I never once felt like an outsider reading this story. Yes, I didn't feel like a READER. I felt like a friend. Xi Xi Tian's writing put me right in the center of the setting. I could see the sky, feel the grass, taste what these characters tasted.

I couldn't put it down! I stayed up until 1;45 in the morning to finish this book. I thought about it while at work. I can't wait to buy a physical copy once the book is on shelves.

Again-- not many books can successfully transfer a person into a new world.

I was there. Feeling everything these two sisters felt. I cried with them. Laughed with them. And fell in love with them. Get ready for an emotional ride filled with beautiful writing, immersive storytelling, and honesty.

This book is one you NEED to read. My favorite read so far of 2022.

with the world we live in today, there has never been a more relevant and important story to read. i'm so grateful i had the privilege to read this early. this place is still beautiful is about two chinese american sisters, who have to deal with acts of hatred, prejudice, and racism while trying to prevail in their day to day lives. from the two POVS (of the sisters), we gain access to how these events have impacted them, and how they rise above the horrible acts committed. and above all, this is a book about the journeys of self discovery. how one finds success in their own skin, despite the obstacles that might be in their way. and the role family plays in our personal development.

as i said, this book was just phenomenal. my heart felt broken the entire time, and i really think the story shared is one of great importance. this book left a profound impact on me, and i will be recommending it to everyone upon its release date. make sure to check the trigger/content warnings before reading. i will not stop thinking about this heartfelt and moving story for quite some time. i really look forward to reading other works of xixi tian's. 5/5 stars.

thank you to both netgalley and harpercollins children's books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a lot deeper than I expected but that was refreshing to me. I genuinely hope this book has success because it was different to what I was used to and I thought that was great. Overall, I don't regret reading. Thank you so much.

This book made my heart ache, but at the same time, filled the emptiness and hugged the pains away. XiXi Tian writes so gorgeously, capturing all the feelings that I've always wanted to express but couldn't find the words to. The two perspectives of the sisters are vastly different, and you can easily tell that they have distinct voices, and I thought that part was very well done. I think that all of us have both Annalie and Margaret inside of us, and I really reflected on that while reading the book. The story just paints the complexities of racism, family, sisterhood, identity, and choice so well. Just giving it five stars is not enough.

This novel was a quick read for me, but it was heavy. It deals with lots of important topics: racism, the struggle of fitting in, family ties, love -- both familial and romantic -- and the way the past can shape the present (just to name a few). Overall, the two sisters are compelling characters. When reading their POVs, it is clear that both are striving for a way to find peace after a vandalism shakes their home, but that their different personalities drastically shape the way they deal with it. Overall, this is a compelling portrait of a family in the aftermath of a tragedy.