Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for honest feedback.

I am pretty much always down for Asian representation in any media so right away that drew me in. The overall premise of teenagers becoming embroiled in some international conspiracy while navigating a (not quite) love triangle appealed to me as well. That said, there was quite a lot about this plot that was unbelievable. Since it would take too long and I also didn’t take note of every example, I will just address the things I personally was most bothered by.

But first, a brief synopsis and a bit on characters...

Seventeen-year-old Tan Lee loves a good puzzle and aspires to join the CIA someday. Winter Woo and her mom Fannie have temporarily moved in with the Lee family while Fannie works toward a law degree. After a hot and heavy make out session at prom, Tan and Winter decide to keep their distance from one another even though that’s not what either of them wants. After months of the avoidance game, Tan’s parents and Winter’s mom head away on a work trip (vacation for Fannie) to Hawaii, leaving them to babysit Tan’s five-year-old sister Sana. Enter, Tan’s ex Rebecca who Winter is not convinced Tan has moved on from. Rebecca has run away from home with something valuable and her father’s men are not keen to let her go quite so easily.

Tan, Winter and Sana are all fine characters. Tan is super smart, very close to his family and seems to be very respectful to both Winter and Rebecca. I like how highly he thinks of Winter and how he still manages to help Rebecca despite how selfish she is and also the way she basically ghosted him when she left. Winter is an aspiring actor so as a theatre major she’s automatically a winner to me. She’s very kind and always thinking of others and is a great help where Sana is concerned. And speaking of Sana she’s a sassy little thing which can sometimes be annoying but I found her to be funny and sweet. Tan and Sana’s relationship is very endearing. Rebecca annoyed me for almost the entire book which was probably at least partly the point. I know there is at least some truth to people who have never had to worry about money being out of touch, but it bordered on being over the top how out of touch Rebecca was. I realize that me having grown up in suburban areas in America is far different from Rebecca having grown up in the city in Shanghai, but she did spend some time in San Francisco. You’re telling me she wouldn’t have known what a tree house was? Even though it’s literally right there in the name?

Outside of our main characters, I liked our Cove friends. It’s nice that despite the circumstances that brought them to the Cove, they are there for one another, even for the previously mentioned main characters whom they had known for less than 48 hours before stepping in to help save the day. In particular Sister Ava kicked ass.

Again, I know that this plot very much depended on suspended disbelief so there’s quite a bit I let slide, but these were some of the thoughts I had while reading that I couldn’t shake:

This might just be a miss on my part, truly, but…before the thugs show up at the Lee household, Rebecca had been wearing Tan’s Mandalorian shirt and boxers. At a later point, when they reach the cove, she’s in her blue designer dress. I don’t have any recollection of her having changed out of the shirt and boxers and given how unexpectedly quick the thugs showed up, I can’t imagine there would have been time so she was just running through the streets of San Fran with a shirt and boxers? She definitely still had the shirt while on the run due to having to return it later so I couldn’t figure this one out.

Tan asks Sister Ava if there’s a phone he can borrow, hoping there might somehow be 3 so Winter and Rebecca could have one as well. Sister Ava mentions there’s a phone that the Cove shares. Yet later, with Tan using this phone as part of their plan to fool the bad guys, somehow Winter now also has a borrowed phone. Not that she couldn’t have potentially borrowed one from somewhere else but there’s no explanation to how she got one.

The parents have been mentioned on multiple occasions to be in Honolulu or at the Waikiki Beach Marriott specifically. This would be on Oahu and would have been their last known location based on a voicemail left by them. But then towards the end, Rebecca tells her father that they’re in Maui. That is a different island that they likely wouldn’t have had time to get to, not to mention the most recent mention of their location before this was that they were at the Marriott in Waikiki.

Once the kids are finally back home, one of the first things Winter and Tan do is clean everything up. I know that after what they went through it’s hard not to want to try and go back to normal which includes sleeping in your own bed and cleaning up/righting the furniture etc, but it’s also a crime scene so they’re just cleaning up any evidence. Granted it seems the Chinese government is at least in part dealing with it but like…this bothered me.

One last thing that’s not about plot, but…the author so frequently described someone as speaking low. “I know” said Rebecca, low. “I’m scared” said Winter, low. (Not actual lines, just examples). For whatever reason it bothered me how often it was used and it seemed to all be lumped within a few consecutive chapters which made it stand out even more how much it was used.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and it was a quick and easy read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This started off so strong, but I ended up with mixed feelings. Usually I have a hard time enjoying very plotdriven books, because they don't always give you enough opportunity to really build a connection with the main characters. But from the start, I absolutely loved the characters, and I felt so connected to them. They were fleshed out and interesting, and very loveable.

But the more the story continued, the more I felt like it spun out of control, and in the process, it lost me more and more. The plot was just too chaotic and farfetched for me to keep suspending my disbelief, which made me feel less connected to the story as it went on.

I would have loved more focus on the characters with a little less chaos in the plot, because I feel like that just completely took over.

I DNF'd at 30%ish - nothing's *wrong* with the book but I just can't get into it. I requested it because I've really enjoyed Abigail Hing Wen's other books, and while I knew this would be different plot-wise, I really don't even care for the characters at this point, either.

Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies brings the heists, love triangles, and secrets. The intrigue level is off the charts here. You aren't sure what is laying around the next corner. And the whole time you're also wondering if Winter and Tan can be together. If their tangled families will be a road block and if they can be honest with each other. I loved the constant state of being on my toes about what might happen. About what new situation Tan and Winter are going to be thrown in which is so different from their daily lives.

Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies" by Abigail Hing Wen is a fun student worthy blend of love and mystery that captivates from the first page. Set against the high-stakes tech competition, the story following Emma, a young female coder navigating the pressures of the tech world is one students can dive into. Wen's writing is sharp and engaging, seamlessly weaving together elements of suspense, love, and ambition. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making their journey both compelling and heartfelt, and great for students to study character development with . A must-read for fans of smart, contemporary YA fiction with a thrilling twist.

This was such an unexpected plot and I was here for every moment of it. I really enjoyed the character development for our 3 main characters and the journey they went on to come out on top all while navigating the danger they were in. The setting of the cove was everything. And I enjoyed the our badass nun who lead the cove. The setting of San Francisco was so fun and really felt like the perfect place for the book to take place. And of course there was amazing representation in this book! If you like heists, chases and a bit of danger give this one a read!

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! have been waiting MONTHS to get the acceptance email! Oh this book was everything! Fast pace, suspenseful and the writing style was perfect. For everyone saying "you have to have a certain level of disbelief to get into it" probably didn't notice this is suppose to be YA. As in the target audience is kids. If you try to read this as an adult with a fully developed frontal lobe you probably won't like this very much. I think it's perfect for targeted audience.

Let me just say that I ADORED Abigail Hing Wen’s series Loveboat series so I was super excited to get an early access read to this book. And I’m sad to say that I didn’t love it as much as I did her other series. Maybe it’s because I’m in tech and find a lot of this to be unrealistic and coincidental to have things button up so neatly and quickly? That being said, I devoured this in one sitting so it definitely is a super good read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was honestly so stressed the entire book. If Wen’s entire purpose in writing this book was to cause me anxiety, then the purpose was achieved. I saw another review where someone said that you have to suspend belief of any of this happening, and I think they’re correct. I think if this were considered just a YA fiction novel and not centered around romance, I would’ve liked this more. And… Rebecca was the worst LOL. It lacked depth in the MCs that did not make me feel able to resonate with their story or believe that they even liked each other.

I did enjoy that the entire book is in Tan’s POV. I feel like there aren’t a lot of books that I’ve read where it’s only the MMC’s POV. I also loved Sana and she must be protected at all costs. I also enjoyed every moment that they spent at the Cove.

CW: kidnapping, stalking, violence

Short and Sweet Review
Tan and his best friend Winter had a great time at prom, but they decide to take a pause on things. When their parents go on a vacation to Hawaii together, Tan and Winter are left in charge of watching Tan’s younger sister Sana. Things are going as well as they could when watching a five year old but things quickly go downhill when Tan’s ex-girlfriend shows up looking for a place to hide while her dad’s bodyguards after her. Tan’s main goal is to keep his friends and family safe while evading the thugs Rebecca brought to his doorstep.
I wanted to love this book but I just couldn’t stand Rebecca but I’ll get into that later. There are things that happened in this book that aren’t realistic but you would end up seeing in a movie like spy kids or something, but I still had high hopes. The story really kicks off when Rebecca comes to Tan’s house looking for a place to hide out, she stole some coins that are worth a lot of money and now her dads people are looking for her. The problem with Rebecca is she thinks the world revolves around her, she doesn’t care that she put other people in danger she only cares that she’s able to get away. When Rebecca left, Tan’s self esteem went way down and he feels inadequate. We have Winter who’s always trying to remind him that he’s worth more than he thinks but for some reason Rebecca has a hold on him. I don’t think there was a reason for the love triangle because it was obvious who would end up together. Anyway Tan is a cryptographer which is pretty cool because I don’t think I’ve read about any other main character who was into that. His cryptography skills are the reason Rebecca sought him out, the coins she stole are encrypted and she thought he would be the one to crack the code. The three teens end up traveling around San Francisco and surrounding areas and even seeking refuge with a place called The Cove. I think this would have been a fun book if Rebecca wasn’t an insufferable character, for me she really brings the vibe down.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book. I liked Tan, Winter, and Sana. The mystery was interesting and I liked learning more about cryptography. I would have given this a higher rating if I didn’t have to get through every chapter reminding myself that Rebecca is just a fictional character and I wouldn’t have to deal with her in person. If you’ve read other books by this author, I would say this one has more of an adventure/mystery pace and for her first time doing this genre its not bad, and I would recommend it!

This book was good!

It is fast paced and keeps you guessing (a little out there but it’s fun!).

I’ll start by saying Tan is a treasure we all must protect. I adored him. He was the most wholesome character. Winter is also a character I really liked but I feel like we didn’t really get to know her as much which is a bummer. Rebecca. Didn’t like. I mean I get where she’s coming from and everything but just didn’t love her. She does grow on you a bit by the end but still not my favorite.

Sana and The Cove kids! This bunch. They are the heart and soul of this book. I LOVED THEM. They brought the story together.

Highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

3.5 stars

Though they shared a magical kiss at Prom, Tan and Winter have decided to not let it change their friendship. However, this plan becomes increasingly difficult when all of their parents go on a vacation to Hawaii. Now, Tan and Winter are in charge of Tan's little sister while they're gone. Meaning avoiding each other becomes impossible.

Things get even more complicated when Tan's ex, Rebecca, arrives, on the run from her billionaire father. Tan is quickly pulled into helping her, and now they all find themselves on the run. Will they be able to figure everything out before Rebecca's dad catches up with them?

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies by Abigail Hing Wen! I was intrigued by the premise, as it sounded sort of spy, action adventure related. And there is plenty of action as the teens find themselves on the run. It's an overall fast paced read, which makes it really easy to get through quickly!

My main issue was the premise requires a lot of suspension of disbelief to make the book work, and I just couldn't quite get there. The sort of thriller/chase aspect didn't quite work for me because the situation seemed highly exaggerated. There weren't enough details grounded in reality to make it believable, which made it difficult for me to get into the story.

However, the romance is cute. There's some love triangle drama, if you're into that kind of thing. The ending is satisfying, and if you can just throw yourself into the story, it's an entertaining read overall. Just wasn't necessarily for me.

If you like action-y romance, definitely check this one out in August!

This required a heck of a lot of suspension of disbelief, but if you can accomplish that, it was a cute and fun fast-paced read.

I really liked the characters and I loved the Cove. It was such a warm and welcoming home for kids without homes. And even though it was located in a church-related building and run by a nun, the religious aspect wasn't really pushed. I appreciated that. Also that it welcomed a nonbinary kid who got kicked out by their parents with open arms, bending the gendered sleeping quarters rule for them.

The scenes with the Cove and the kids there were the best parts; luckily they took up quite a bit of the book.

The plot was unrealistic to the extreme, but a handful of kids running from international thugs made for a great story. It was sort of like if you combined the Boxcar Children with Mission Impossible. I don't know if the parts about digital security and codebreaking were accurate as that's not my area of expertise, but they seemed at least internally consistent and were believable enough to keep me immersed in the story. It would make a fantastic action movie.

The love story was sweet although too much time was spent telling me how the characters thought and felt for my taste. I prefer to be left to figure it out from context. But it's a YA book and so it falls into that trap of overexplaining feelings that many YA books fall into.

I also really liked that, no matter how determined Tan was to handle everything and keep everyone safe, especially his little sister, Sana played a huge role in the big showdown at the end. The kids from the Cove did as well. It very much kept to the theme of 'we're stronger together' which gave it a nice wholesome feel.

I also liked the San Francisco bay area setting. One, because it makes sense for a family so heavily into digital currency security and codebreaking, and two, because it's just familiar enough to me that I could really picture a lot of the scenes.

The audiobook was really well done and helped keep me immersed in the story. The character voices were easily distinguishable and made sense. The narration flowed smoothly and the pacing was good.

Although it was a little difficult to get into the story at first, and I really had to suspend my disbelief, I had a great time with this story and would definitely read more by this author.

*Thanks to Feiwel and Friends and Macmillan Young Listeners for providing an early copy for review.

3.25 stars

Not what I expected.

This book reads like an upper middle grade rather than YA, which there's nothing wrong with, but it was not the level that I expected. The beginning somehow feels really slow even though kind of a lot happens pretty quickly. The writing is repetitive, with Tan constantly repeating things he's already mentioned, and not important things.

If you loved the Loveboat series like I did, this one is kind of disappointing. Tan is not all that interesting, even though he seems like he should be. It might have been better to have it in first person perspective so that we don't feel so removed from what Tan's feeling as he goes.

Abigail Hing Wen is one of my favorite YA authors, though, and I'll still read her next project.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

In this captivating novel, perfect for upper middle schoolers, the main characters, Tan and Winter, teeter on the brink of a potential romance. However, Tan’s lingering feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, complicate matters. Winter wisely urges Tan to pump the brakes on their budding relationship. Despite Tan’s desire to assert that he’s moved on from his ex, he fails to communicate it effectively.

Adding to the drama of their almost-relationship, Rebecca—affectionately dubbed ‘The Ex’—unexpectedly shows up at Tan’s doorstep, seeking solace and desperately needing his help. She insists he gets involved, even after ghosting him for a year.

The main characters include Tan, Winter, and Rebecca. Tan is an all-around good guy with a talent for writing and cracking codes, who grapples with conflicting emotions. Winter, the voice of reason, remains steadfast and dependable. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s privileged demeanor and slow grasp of consequences make her the least likable character.

As for the novel’s future, it’s unclear whether it will become a series, but I’m intrigued to see how it unfolds. While I enjoyed the overall story, I was particularly captivated by Sister Ava and the Cove kids at the cathedral. “...Sister Ava...cutting a striking figure in the moonlight in her nun's habit..." The image alone is an absolute guffaw in the best possible way.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for my ARC copy for my honest review.

⋆⋆⅗

the one good thing i have to say about this is that it was short, and the ending was cute. and that's it. i really wanted to like it—i liked loveboat taipei—but it lacked complexity and depth, even for something that's ya.

the problem with this book, i think, is that it contains the level of absurdity one would expect from middle grade thrillers (think 39 clues or gallagher girls). the villain is uber-scary and all powerful, and has police all over the globe in his palm, and yet is incompetent enough to have his twenty-year plan thwarted by three teenaged idiots in less than a week? with the help of a... super nun? honestly, this is a trope present in a lot of a ya thrillers, but the protagonists in this one happen to be morons, so it automatically makes the antagonist and the entire plot feel cartoonish. it doesn't help that the characters have the maturity of 14 year olds instead of the 17-18 year olds they supposedly are.

tan lee, the main character, entirely lacks any personality. his two traits are that a) he solves puzzles, and b) he loves his baby sister (which, yay! a non misogynist, he deserves points for that one, considering the state of his peers). he's a bore. i don't have anything to say about him, honestly. i can't even hate him, he's just... there. the book being from either of the girls' povs would immediately make this more interesting. winter technically didn't have any personality either, aside from loving family and tan and hating rebecca. (i just like her more than tan because she's a girl. well.) rebecca was the most intriguing character, by virtue of being the only one with any development. her going from obnoxious rich girl to connecting with people at the shelter and freeing herself from her parents' influence was lovely.

the romance was... meh. the love triangle was nonexistent—it was always obvious wintertan was the endgame, and that rebecca was just there to remind tan how different down-to-earth, impoverished winter was from out-of-touch, rich girl rebecca. neither couple had much chemistry, and wintertan were very bland and aggravating until the church confession scene at around 80%(?).

and this has nothing to do with anything, but it annoyed me so much, so i'm making it a whole paragraph. there's a three chapter arc near the beginning of the book, where they're first fleeing the evil thugs and whatnot. sana, the baby sister, goes around telling strangers private info like names, where they are from, etc, leading them to be almost caught multiple times. obviously, she's five, she's not the issue here. but when tan tries to tell her to not say anything, they make a whole issue about lying??? and it's like, isn't it a bigger issue that this girl babbles to randoms about what school she's going to?? is stranger danger not a more important concept here, or like literally always, regardless of whether you're being chased by your ex's dad's goons or not? what is wrong with you??

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

Wait I did not realize this was a continuation of Abigail's story from the YA romance anthology (published back in maybe 2021/2022?). I was so excited when I recognized the premise. I think YA romance readers will really enjoy this one and Abigail Hing Wen delivers another swoon-worthy, adorable story.

Winter and her mother rent rooms from Tan’s family. The Kiss – Winter and Tan go the prom, followed by hot kisses and then not talking to each other. The Codes – Tan has a mind for code breaking and cryptology. The Conspiracy – Tan’s ex-girlfriend Rebecca shows up with cryptocurrency stolen from her billionaire father and needs his mind to help break the code. These three things make for a dangerous and sometimes romantic romp across the Bay Area avoiding thugs sent by Rebecca’s father…or by someone else?
Very fun and kept me interested.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
#KissesCodesandConspiracies #NetGalley

A thrilling YA book from the start. An emotional journey for the main character. Fun faced paced story with friends family and villains.

Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies is a whirlwind of teenage romance, mystery, and adventure that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.
The author expertly blends elements of romance and suspense, keeping readers guessing with every twist and turn. Tan's journey to protect his loved ones while unraveling a conspiracy and dodging international hackers makes for an exhilarating read.
What sets this book apart is its vibrant characters and authentic portrayal of teenage friendships and emotions. Tan's internal struggles and growth throughout the story add depth to the narrative, making him a relatable and compelling protagonist.
With its fast-paced plot, witty dialogue, and heartwarming moments, Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies is a captivating YA novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. The author's seamless storytelling and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone craving an exciting and entertaining adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!