June and Athena have been friends, just barely over that acquaintances threshold, since they attended Yale together as up-and-coming writers. During a freak accident, June's life is turned upside down and she takes advantage of a situation that seems to only happen to people in books. The results of all of that turn June's floundering career into a sensation very quickly. But did she jinx herself from the beginning? Is she destined to lose it all because of the circumstances by which she won the prestige?

I've loved everything I've ever read by Kuang, and this was no exception. She deserves the hype, and you want to know why? Because despite the fact of me hating every.single.character in this book, I still couldn't put it down. Her writing style, dialogue, and atmosphere of her stories is so engrossing. This book made me feel gross on so many levels. June's delusional thinking has the reader thinking "WTF" on so many levels. She surrounds herself with enough 'Yes men' to completely buy into her delusions, and for a fleeting moment, be very lucrative in doing so. This book left me shaking my head, and I can't wait for more from Kuang. This is the first book I've ever rated 5 stars, loved completely, yet hated everyone in it. Now THAT'S good writing.

I flew though This audiobook in a day. Immediately hooked! Kuang is a great writer though this is my first book of hers I’ve read. The premise is very similar to The Plot where a woman steals another’s work. But here we have a lot of racial themes as well as a lot of inside details about the publishing world. The jabs at one star reviews were spot on and in fact if you go to this books Goodreads page you’ll see people’s weirdly scathing 1 star reviews. I guess Kuang has gotten into some controversy herself so some of this is a bit of a wink to that. All that said I loved it. Great social, racial, bookish commentary and the themes and writing kept me listening. Eff the haters.

This was such a fast paced read. I feel like there will definitely be mixed reviews, especially from people who are not a minority. The nuances of microaggressions, blatant call-outs, this was my first R.F. book and I really enjoyed it. I'd say read it if you're not going to get easily offended.

The hype is real for Yellowface!! I absolutely devoured this latest book from R F Kuang. If anyone could write an unlikeable protagonist and make you want to cheer her on Kuang apparently can.

Told in the first person with biting wit, we follow June Hayward's struggles as a young white author trying to make it in the publishing industry and growing jealous of her old college friend, Athena Liu, an Asian American writer getting all the accolades and critical success June craves.

When a tragic accident provides June with a unique opportunity she steals Athena's most recent work in progress and completes it under her own name. At first the book is a break out hit for June until criticism and rumors start circulating that she may not have written it.

Twisty, suspenseful and full of spot on cultural critiques of the racism and tokenism inherent among today's publishing houses. This is definitely a must read of the summer and great on audio too narrated by Helen Laser.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review! This was my first book by R F Kuang and I can't wait to dive into her backlist. Recommended for fans of The other Black girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris.