Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Full disclosure, I went into this totally blind. I saw the cover and had to read it.

If you could turn invisible, what would you do with your ability? When Alice Sun is faced with this question she chooses what any desperate broke student would do, exchange secrets for money. When a big job goes terribly wrong Alice is forced to ask herself if the payoff was worth the price.

I have to say, I quite enjoyed this story. At first I didn't think I was going to but by the time I hit halfway I was invested. I really liked Alice as a main character. She was relatable and easy to root for. I enjoyed the way we got to see her struggle with herself when deciding if she was going to go through with the final job when so much was depending on it.

Overall, it wasn't a bad read. Once you get to the end there are a lot of typical YA clichés that come out but other than that it was pretty good.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang is a YA story about a teenage girl who suddenly develops the power to turn invisible. She gets into many hijinks – for a good cause, of course – and learns important life lessons along the way.

Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
The title and cover are throwing me off a bit. There is something very contemporary and very literary about them to me. Yet, the story is about a girl who goes to an international boarding school with China's most influential teems and develops the power to turn invisible, which sounds like a very light and fun story. I'm not sure how this story will go based on first impressions.

Actual Reading Experience:
There is so much to love about this story. It turned out to be mostly light and entertaining but with big life lessons to learn. I thought that presenting those lessons in such a way made them more impactful and relatable.

There is an enemies to lovers' romance that is so sweet, pure, and innocent that I instantly fell in love with the characters and invested in their story. Alice and Henry have won top honors at school every year – they are basically tied for first place. This immediately lights Alice's competitive spirit on fire, which is a lot of fun. Henry is more chill about it like it all comes naturally and is what it is. Since Alice must work hard for her grades, this riles her even more. The sparks between these two are lots of fun to behold.

The peek into Chinese culture is very interesting to me. It is woven throughout the story in a colorful tapestry of little nuances that made me look at Chinese culture in a new light. The lessons learned, though, are universal and take center stage. When Alice has to choose what clients to take on and the subsequent tasks using her invisibility powers, she has to choose between her own morality and earning money for her education.

Characters:
Alice Sun is a type A student who excels at her classes because of sheer effort. She is the only scholarship student at her boarding school, but that is never an issue until her parents can no longer afford the portion of her tuition they must pay. Since Alice doesn't want to leave her school, she has to think fast and find a way to make money. Then she becomes invisible, opening up a door to endless money-making possibilities.
Henry Li is the son of a successful businessman and is poised to take over the family business one day. He is smart and though inwardly self-conscious, projects outer confidence that all his classmates respond to whether they mean to or not. It seems like he has everything and then some.

Narration & Pacing:
The story is told in first person narration through Alice's POV. Since she is the one that develops the power of invisibility, it is fun and interesting to explore it with her in this more personal narration style.
The pacing is incredibly fast, rapidly moving from one series of events to another. I love the pacing, as my focus never once left the page.

Setting:
The setting is Airington School, an international boarding school in Beijing, China. The story stays mostly within that setting, only venturing outside a few times. This setting is well-detailed and is perfect for the academic tale.

Ages Appropriate For:
If You Can See the Sun is appropriate for all YA readers, the younger and older ages. They will connect easily to the character and her situations and be able to pull from Alice's lessons learned to things applicable in their own lives. The adult reader will find joy in the hijinks, be enlightened by the cultural aspects, and absolutely adore the characters.

Read it, if you like:
• Enemies to lovers' romances
• Superpowers / paranormal
• Hijinks
• Lessons learned
• Chinese Culture

‘If You Could See the Sun’ is a contemporary YA with magical elements set at an international school in China. Alice is from a working class family who cannot afford to pay for her last semester of school. Desperate and emotional, she discovers she has the ability to turn invisible and finds a way to monetize it through collaborating with her academic rival. Chaos ensues as her tasks become more difficult and unethical, leaving Alice facing the questions of just because she can turn invisible, should she?

This was a refreshing read. I’ve read plenty of school settings with magical elements but this one was just a little more unique. Alice is a great main character, very relatable. The way she and her rival Henry play off each other as the story progresses is very entertaining and at time adorable way. There were quite a few entertaining Side characters as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not sure why I requested this book, given it has magical realism elements, and I’m not a huge fan. It sounded good, and it might work for someone who is more into magical realism than I am.

Ann Liang’s debut novel is a fantastic adventure through Beijing boarding school and the power of actual real-life invisibility. I love a good academic rivals to lovers story, and If You Could See the Sun delivered on that SO well. So excited to see what else Ann has in store.

Alice Sun is invisible in school, having good grades takes a lot of work, but after her parents tell her they can't afford her private school anymore, she turns invisible in a new unimaginable way and she may be able to monetize on this new ability.

I read this in one sitting. Alice's problems were extremely relatable for me, the struggles of keeping grades to even unseemly separate you from social life, is a subject that this book touches on perfectly. As for the romance, it was nice having Henry for companies and their moments were perfectly integrated into the story (though I wouldn't mind more, I love smarts together).

Overall, this ends just where it needed to end


Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I’m not much into YA contemporaries these days but just the cover of this book and the slightly magical elements in the premise intrigued me and I couldn’t resist.

I loved how the author establishes the setup and stakes in just the first couple of chapters. Alice as a protagonist is brilliant, smart, sarcastic and very easy to like, so we are immediately drawn into her troubles and feelings. We loathe her rival Henry just like she does and really hope she’ll be able to make the money to keep continuing to study at her school. And slowly, we get to see her discover secrets and truths and grapple with what she thought about others, what the actuality is, and how justified is what she is doing with her invisibility powers. Add to this a very intriguing rivals to lovers dynamic, and this makes for a very enjoyable story.

But what really made this book good for me was how the author managed to integrate so many themes in the story while also keeping it lighthearted enough and fun. Alice’s invisibility doesn’t just signify her newfound powers but also the way she feels invisible and not seen in many ways by her friends because they just can’t fathom what it is to live in poverty or less financial wealth than them. The classism here is really on point, because while it may reflect modern Beijing, it’s also true for most metro cities around the world, and it starkly depicts how unimaginable it is for wealthy people to fathom the kind of privileges they enjoy, and how much the things they take for granted are not true for others.

Overall, this was a great YA book with light speculative elements that don’t really overpower a more contemporary story, great characters who are easy to fall in love with, and excellent commentary on classism, racism, wealth inequality, poverty and more.

The Quick Cut: A teen girl who is the only scholarship kid at a wealthy international school uses her new invisibility powers to make enough money to pay her remaining school fees. Chaos ensues as the jobs get more complex.

A Real Review:
Thank you to Inkyard Press for providing the ARC for an honest review.

Life can be extremely unfair. Much of a person's success can be based on wealth and connections, neither of which can be easily gained. It's a setup that helps the upper class and makes it harder for the lower classes to get ahead. For Alice, it's a reality she is fighting against so she can stay at her school.

Alice comes from a working class family, but goes to a prestigious international school. Being the solo scholarship student at Airington, it means she spends all her time around high class kids with access to anything and everything they want. When Alice finds out that her parents can no longer afford to pay her remaining tuition fees, she pledges to do what she has to in order to pay the fees herself. The solution? Using her new invisibility powers to do tasks for fellow classmates for cash. Will this solve the problem? Or create all new ones?

This book's description intrigued me from the outset, but the actual book itself was so much more amazing than I anticipated! Alice is such a relatable character and the way her invisibility powers show up are believable enough that you think it could really happen. It all works together to make for a book that you can't get enough of.

Alice is smart, but has to work so much harder than her classmates to keep what she's got. Seeing her do whatever it takes to stay at the school that can provide her an advantage is relatable to anyone who has felt similar pressures. When life doesn't hand you access, you have to find a way to make your own. The system works against you too, so it can feel like you're aiming for the impossible. Alice manages to navigate that struggle while remaining likeable as a character, which is NOT easy. Her tasks become increasingly wrong and unethical.

Alice partners with a classmate named Henry, her rival when it comes to grades at school. Seeing these two go through a journey together relationship wise will make you root for their success and understanding. Henry might be a part of the elite, but Alice shows him what it's like to be on the outside, which gives him a new perspective. These two play off each other in an adorable way and really do help one another better understand the world together. It's in many ways the heart of the story.

A magical realism story that will have you rooting for it's character's success.

My rating: 5 out of 5

This book was really good. I was lucky enough to get an arc for it and I devoured it in a day. I could really relate to Alice throughout the story and even as her actions became more and more questionable I didn’t find myself being drawn out of the story by wonky choices. It felt natural and I could understand where she was coming from, as much as I kept shouting “don’t do it!”. In addition to that, the romance aspect of the novel was pretty cute. I also really loved a lot of the prose throughout the novel, this author is definitely talented!


This review is posted on Goodreads and StoryGraph.

I loved this book and how much I know it would have meant to my younger teenage self! The unique and fresh take on ‘superpowers’ kept me gripped enough that I did not want to put it down.

The perfect mix of academic rivalry, one-side enemies to lovers, and international boarding school drama
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)

The synopsis hooked me in. I will read anything that involves boarding schools and rich students. The vibes are always thrilling.

This book is about a student named Alice who attends an elite international boarding school in Beijing. She's the only scholarship student there and she has worked tooth and nail to be the top student... alongside Henry, of course. Unlike most students attending Airington, Alice doesn't come from a wealthy background so when the tuition fees get raised, and her parents can no longer afford to pay for it all, Alice gets thrown into a situation that might just solve everything.

All of a sudden (still not sure how), she turns invisible and there's only one person who she can count on to help her: Henry. She puts aside her hate for him and begins to collaborate with him on a huge project that involves her new powers. They create an app called Beijing Ghost where students can anonymously ask for favours in return for money. And this money could save her future. But the tasks aren't always easy, definitely not when some things on the list could be illegal and cost Alice her entire future.

I honestly cannot describe the vibes of this book enough. Imagine rich kids who have perfect hair and skin, with the sharpest outfits. Almost everyone attending the school is decently smart, and of course, RICH. Boarding schools automatically give off fall vibes, so yes you can add your dark academia fantasies here too. And of course, a hot looking guy you can't stand because he's so effortlessly smart, and his clothes are always perfectly ironed and crisp, and he always knows what to say and when.

I have the BIGGEST crush on Henry and I will stand by what I say. It's very hard to hate him honestly, he's like the dream mysterious hot boy that everyone wishes they had in their school. But it's important to give credit to the other characters too. I loved Chanel, honestly such a sweet person. And some of the teachers>>>. Maybe it's the academic validation and teacher approval kicking in?

This book was an easy, light read but it did everything it was supposed to. I loved it, and I'm sure many others will too.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital arc!

Wow, I was completely blown away by this book! Alice is such a funny, relatable and courageous character. I love how her power is directly tied in to her emotions. There were so many parts which made me laugh and smile. I couldn't get enough of this wonderful book! I look forward to reading more books by this author!

An insightful look into the struggles and pressure of economic class disparity as Alice is determined to find a way to earn the tuition needed to stay enrolled. The pressure was put on Alice by herself to succeed but also came from societal expectations, which led her to the grey area of exploiting her invisibility to fund her education. Henry and Chanel were surprisingly understanding that Alice could suddenly become invisible, but their interactions helped build up the characters and show Alice's emotional growth. The descriptions of the food and various settings were a highlight and all of the pop culture references were fun to spot!

This book was soo good. It exceeded my expectations and I loved it so much. I was obsessed with the boarding school setting. It's definitely something I need in more books. I also really loved the romance, the slowburn was so good. I just wish the author leaned more into the academic rivals part of their relationship, but overall it was still amazing. 4.5 stars

If You Could See the Sun is an incredibly addictive, immersive and thrilling read. This is academic rivals to lovers excellence, mixed with a searing exploration of power and privilege.

Right from the start, Liang had me utterly hooked with that premise. That mix of academic contemporary competition and a touch of the fantastical through Alice’s powers. Invisibility has often been a concept that fascinates me and seeing it monetised here was such a clever twist on the trope. Alice herself has always felt invisible, unseen by her peers and unacknowledged for her prowess in the same way as her male, highly wealthy rival. This speaks to the inherent classism and sexism at the base of this academic structure and reflects wider society. Alice is diminished for her intelligence and furious drive to succeed, while this is praised and seen as only a facet of Henry’s personality. I loved how much this book delved into privilege and classist power structures, particularly those associated with intelligence and social mobility. This is always a structure that wants Alice to fail.

In case you couldn’t tell, I fell head over heels in love with Alice. Here was a snarky, extremely clever and driven girl who often comes across as prickly, blunt and a touch naive to the power plays surrounding her. However, the way she learns and grows over the course of this book is truly wonderful. The way Liang uses her powers to give her character development and a way to see beneath the veneers of perfection in this environment is masterful. I also adored the dynamic between her and Henry. There was just the right level of resentment and tension between them, with sparks flying on every page (though often not recognised by Alice). Their chemistry was wonderful and burnt just slow enough for me over the course of the book.

If You Could See the Sun is an incisive and incredible book, balancing deeply romantic flourishes with an incredibly entertaining exploration of power.

If You Could See the Sun might be my vote for the most original premise ever. Alice is a scholarship student at an elite Beijing international boarding school who starts uncontrollably turning invisible, and uses that power to her advantage. This is one of those books you think "Why didn't I think of that premise?" I enjoyed every single page of it.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was definitely
a ride and l'd give this a 3.75 stars. I loved how
Henry's and Alice's relationship evolved
throughout the story! Another thing I liked about
this book was how real it felt, meaning the
struggles Alice was going through felt so real.
(excluding the whole invisibility haha)
Anyways, I'm definitely going give this book
another read just because I love it so much
Thank you Netgalley for the E-Arc of this book in
exchange for my honest review!

What I feel, even days after finishing If You Could See the Sun, is awe in the ways Liang uses being or feeling invisible. The ways in which Liang takes this feeling that is universal and creates a story which feels so metaphorical and compelling. How being invisible - while it could be seen as a gift - also comes with issues and this feeling of helplessness. And how it gives Alice a look into how much she doesn't know about the people we thinks she does. She begins to understand the price of secrets and privacy. While her fate is now in her hands, as well as those who have discovered her secret, Alice has to deal with the ethical ramifications. The weight of these discoveries and the lives she will have to change in order to save hers.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Inkyard Press for sending me this E-arc in return for an honest review.

As I finished this book, I sat in silence with my thoughts. I felt my heart torn and out back together with tender hands. Hardly ever has a book left me feeling as though my soul has been shown for the whole world to see, but this book did it. I felt tears drip down my face as I got to the end of this book, and honestly I rarely cry from a book. This book was excruciatingly beautiful, and it was raw emotions.

Alice is not some pure heroine that will choose the good for those around her... No she is someone that has been ripped to shreds by the society she has lived in. Forced to become the adult at a young age she see the sacrifices her parents have made so she can have a better life. We feel the raw emotions that Alice went through as her family sought the "American Dream" of having a better life for them, yet to face the cruel realities of those who seek to do hate crimes against them because they are Asian. That there is not some fictious writing, but the harsh reality for many that are asian and any poc.
After the experiences her family had, they go back to China to find home again, but are again faced with the harsh realities of their economic situation. We see the pain Alice feels as she becomes the model student of Airington so that she can make a name for herself and her family amongst all the richest families, including her rival Henry.
As she she faced with powers that helps her to thwart her classmates and uncover some of their darkest secrets, we see her also finding the revenge and power she has always wanted to hold against them.
This story shows the beauty of what it means to fight so hard that you become numb and exhausted from it, to the point you can't remember what you wanted to live for. I honestly wish I could have an Henry in my life like Alice does, it is heartwarming to see those two clash together and also out their minds together when faced with her new found powers.
This story is about what it means to be human, to feel like all other roads have closed and there is only one option to choose, and also it is about what society deems as important compared to what truly matters.
A part that stood out to me and spoke to me whole self is " To live well, you must learn to see yourself first."

This book was really fun! I loved the way the invisibility was perfectly fit into the world we know. I loved how we got a glimpse of Beijing through the eyes of someone who clearly cares a lot about the city. Overall delightful!