I really liked this novel! I've been reading quite a few novels set in Shanghai during the beginnings of war and the shifting of the guard in China, and this novel moves back and forth between past and present. It has a very good pace to it, and I found the pages flying by as I devoured this story. It's very well-written.

Synopsis:
This story follows two characters with several names, with each name representing a different side of the character at a specific point in time (more on that later). For simplicity's sake, I'll just call them Haiwen and Suchi for most of this review.

Haiwen and Suchi, who grew up in the same neighbourhood in Shanghai, suddenly bump into each other at a market in LA after being apart for over 60 years. Spanning from 1945 Shanghai during the tail end of WWII and the resurgence of the Chinese Civil War, to 2008 Los Angeles (with other destinations in between), Homeseeking tells a heart-wrenching story of how the two met, how they were separated during the war, how they reconnected, and all the history that was left unsaid between the two of them during their time apart.

Review:
Homeseeking, much like Daughters of Shandong (which I highly recommend), depicts the hardship and displacement of many Chinese families during the Chinese Civil War. It's a story of how war tears families and loved ones apart by forcing people to make difficult decisions to protect their families, and how it destroys hopes and dreams. More importantly, it's also a story about survival and assimilation.

I loved how this book tackled these important themes while also telling the story of how Haiwen and Suchi found each other. Their story is tragic, beautiful, and feels so real. If you told me this was based on a true story, I would believe it.

I'd like to note that I loved the incorporation of various sinitic languages. Thankfully, I have the benefit of knowing Mandarin and Cantonese, with limited knowledge of Shanghainese (from my brief time living there) so I understood most of the words and intended pinyin/anglicization of the words that were incorporated in some of the dialogue. Despite my Mandarin having a Taiwanese accent, I unfortunately don't know any Taiwanese (although the word 'laupa' was easy enough to guess - I imagine it's Taiwanese for 老爸) so many of the Taiwanese words were left to guess work based on context. I imagine other readers (especially any readers who don't speak any sinitic language) will struggle with these aspects of the book. Although the notes section at the end of the book offers some explanations and translations, it doesn't provide a glossary for all the sinitic words and terms that were used throughout the book.

Finally, although I don't normally enjoy books that jump back and forth in time, I loved how it was done in this book. It made sense for Haiwen's narrative to move backwards in time since he's someone who always looks back and tries to remember the past in the hopes of keeping all his cherished memories and loved ones alive in his thoughts. Meanwhile, Suchi's narrative starts in the past on moves forward as she pushes forward to survive and refuses to dwell on the past and the painful memories that it brings up.

A note on Chinese names:
I loved how this book incorporated various languages and names to represent the different characters at different points of their lives.

For Suchi Zhang (this being the Mandarin pronunciation and the official language of China, so the language that they had to use at school), she also went by:
- Suji Tsan (Shanghainese - her native tongue, spoken at home with family),
- Susu (childhood nickname),
- Soukei Cheung (Cantonese - when she lived in Hong Kong), and
- Sue (English - when she moved to the USA)

For Haiwen Wang (Mandarin), he also went by:
- Haeven Waong (Shanghainese),
- Doudou (childhood nickname), and
- Howard (English).
- Note: If Haiwen ended up living in Hong Kong, his Cantonese name would likely be pronounced Hoiman Wong (this is based on the assumption that his Chinese name uses the following characters: 王海文)

This is a very authentic and what I believe to be a very accurate portrayal of what it was like to be Chinese then (and even now), where many of us have multiple names or different ways to pronounce our names depending on the number of dialects and languages that we speak. For example, my grandparents spoke Hakka when they grew up in China (and likely would have had to learn Mandarin if they had stayed there any longer), then spoke Cantonese when they fled to Hong Kong (in which their names would be pronounced differently in Cantonese), and spoke English when they immigrated to Canada with anglicized English names. They also ended up legally changing their English names when they converted as Catholics so in total, my grandparents had 4 names that they went by, each representing a different era in their life, much like how Haiwen and Suchi have different names to represent the different lives they've led.

TLDR/Final thoughts:
This was an impressive debut novel that portrays an important story about the Chinese diaspora that I'm certain will resonate with many Asian Americans of Chinese descent whose parents/grandparents had fled to Taiwan and Hong Kong during the war before eventually immigrating to North America (much like my grandparents and countless others).

Perhaps this is just my greediness that's talking, but I really wanted more out of this book in terms of building up the reunion and rekindling the relationship between Haiwen and Suchi.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC, but I did not finish.
The timing was not right with events of my life, it was nothing whatsoever with the book or the author.

Wow, this debut novel tells the poignant story of two young lovers separated and then reunited many decades later. It paints a vivid picture of China throughout the decades of the 20th century, alternating between the present day life of these aged characters in Los Angeles. This is one of the most evocative accounts I have read of what it was like to live through the wars and political upheaval that endured for many generations. The atrocities and dangers are told along with the mundanities of everyday life, producing a delicate balance and a stunning narrative.

Chen makes no effort to translate the Chinese verbiage and trusts that the reader can research or determine through context. This adds to the authenticity and flow of the story and shows her belief in her readers' abilities to parse out meanings of words in a foreign setting. The writing is impeccable, bringing the setting and each of the characters to life. I was wholly invested in the stories of Haiwen and Suchi, and going back in time to learn about their individual experiences transformed them into fully formed people who jumped off the page. Their love story is tender and moving, and I was reluctant to leave them on the page.

This is a must-read for fans of Pachinko.

Homeseeking follows the path of two young Chinese sweethearts through their time in 1940s Shanghai until they cross paths again in Los Angeles in 2008. It’s everything I want in a historical fiction. And as I often make clear, I’m no fan of the romance genre. But this isn’t a simpering romance, it’s about a shared history and connection that doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the story.
Haiwen is a musical prodigy when he first encounters Suchi in primary school. By their teens, they are sweethearts. But Haiwen enlists in the Chinese Nationalist Army to fight the communists in an effort to save his brother from the draft and they are parted.
The story switches back and forth between time - Suchi’s POV moves forward to their chance encounter in LA, while Haiwen’s, now Howard’s, POV shows his modern day efforts to reconnect with Suchi and then moves backwards. This kind of dual timeline/POV often fails because one story is stronger than the other. But here, it works. In part, that’s because I was engaged with both main characters, at all ages.
The story is beautifully written and Chen writes in a way that makes it easy to envision scenes, even when vastly different from my own existence. She writes about all the senses to give the reader a true sense of place and time.
What I found so poignant was how both main characters suffered such despair at not knowing what became of their families. Each made decisions based on difficult circumstances which often led to their own unhappiness. And even when they are offered an opportunity to rectify past decisions, they often dither and are afraid to move forward.
This was a very emotional read. I felt so much about the characters - not just the two MCs but even the secondary and tertiary characters. It has so much to say about regret and courage. This would make an excellent book club selection as it’s such a meaty book. Amazing to think this is a debut!
My thanks to netgalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy of this book.

Homeseeking spans over six decades in the lives of Suchi and Haiwen. Starting while they are children growing up in Shanghai, the two were friends and then as teenagers their feelings grew into love. They both had hopes and dreams for their futures and for a life shared but after surviving Japanese occupation they are separated by the civil war in China. Their lives and the lives of their families are never the same and they spend years, then decades seeking the other and their home in Shanghai.

This is a beautifully written story of love, family and loss. Throw in how little control a woman has over her own life and you have a great story. I really did enjoy the characters and how they changed based on their experiences, my only issue was the various timelines. The story is told primarily in two POV's, Suchi and Haiwen's; but the timelines move forward and backwards depending on whose POV. I found this disconcerting and had to keep checking what year we were in and trying to remember what had happened last time. There's a lot going on to keep straight with the timelines jumping around.

I learned a lot about China and the struggles of the ordinary people that I didn't know much about. There was obviously a lot of research in preparing this book and I appreciate that.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book! It grabbed me right from the start, and I couldn’t put it down. The story follows the lives of Suchin and Haiwen, spanning decades and continents, beginning with the Japanese occupation of China during WWII. I was immediately drawn in by the note at the start about the spelling conventions for the characters’ names. Some readers might find the author’s use of local pronunciations—resulting in multiple names for the same character—a bit confusing or tedious. However, I appreciate this choice, as it reflects the characters’ reality as they assimilate into different environments.

The narrative flows seamlessly, even as it shifts timelines and perspectives. There were just enough clues to keep me engaged, though I didn’t always connect the dots correctly, which made the reading experience even more satisfying. Suchin and Haiwen are around the same age as my parents, and their journeys through the Chinese diaspora—shaped by forces beyond their control—mirror the experiences of many people I know. This chapter of history isn’t widely recognized, and I’m grateful that a version of it (even through fiction) is being shared.

The author’s writing is vivid yet easy to follow, and I could easily see this being adapted into a television series. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This was a crazy good book! I love the themes of family, sacrifice, loss, and grief. I think it was super well written, the writing style was great, and I really enjoyed the character development here

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

The tale follows a young couple separated in China during the war. Surprisingly, they cross paths decades later in California after both have lived and survived radically different lives. Their stories are told in separate flashbacks that finally intersect. The book is heartbreaking and hopeful with wonderful character development. A joy to read.

I enjoyed learning about the international city of Shanghai during the 1930s and after, with its European concessions in the city, the subsequent Japanese occupation, the flight of the city inhabitants, and the events in Shanghai and China after Japan's surrender at the end of WWII.

So much of history is covered during the telling of this story. I found the book to be a perfect vehicle to reveal the events in China around that time.

The main characters, Suchi and Haiwen, grow up together in the International Settlement in Shanghai. After the Japanese leave, China is still wartorn, with the Nationalists fighting against the Communists for control of the country. The Nationalists eventually flee with their leader, Chiang Kai Shek, to the island of Taiwan. Haiwen has to leave Suchi and his family after joining the Nationalist army and departing for Taiwan.

Suchi spends uncertain years in Hong Kong before landing up in the U.S., where she meets Haiwen again by chance, after sixty or more years apart. Suchi is a grandmother by then, and Haiwen a widower. They find each other in Los Angeles and make an effort to revisit Shanghai and their ailing mothers, bringing the circle of their lives to a close.

A very moving story, and an important one for another perspective and view of Shanghai and China during the war, and about two people finding home after a long and harrowing life of war and displacement.

I only wish that the book had omitted some minor details that could be done without any harm to the story.

The turmoil and politics of China in the six decades after WWII tore families apart, created economic hardships and created conflicting loyalties among prior neighbors and friends. Within this framework, the author has crafted a beautiful story of two separated lovers who throughout their separated lives are always yearning to find their lost families and each other. How and when this happens is told in a uniquely structured tale with beautiful prose and great character development.

Beautiful book, unusual story structure. A thoughtful love story that also teaches you about history. Love this author and can't wait to see what she does next!

This book is a beautifully emotional read that follows the lives of Haiwen and Suchi, two people separated for decades but bound by a deep, soul-level connection. The moment Haiwen spots Suchi after sixty years, you can’t help but feel the weight of their shared past. The story is both epic and personal, taking us from war-torn China to the sunny streets of California, showing how history shapes these two characters.

The book really shines in how it handles love—not as some over-the-top, dramatic thing, but as a quiet, steady force that endures through time and distance. Haiwen’s journey of holding onto the past contrasts perfectly with Suchi’s determination to keep moving forward, and that tension keeps you hooked. Plus, the descriptions of places like Shanghai, New York, and LA are so vivid, they practically jump off the page.

In the end, this book is about finding home, whether it's in a place, a person, or a memory. It’s heartfelt and bittersweet, perfect for anyone who loves a good historical fiction that tugs at your emotions. Highly recommend!

A lovely tale across China and continents, covering over 6 decades of a love relationship. I found it a bit drawn out, but the details of the Asian conflicts, both within China and with Japan, powerfully impacted so many, separating so many lives, including the ones in this book. The characters were well-developed, sacrificing so much for those they love. A beautiful and hopeful ending.

This is a love story. Of place, of country, of family and of the one you left behind.

Homeseeking follows the separated lovers through six decades of tumultuous Chinese history as war, famine, and opportunity take them separately to the song halls of Hong Kong, the military encampments of Taiwan, the bustling streets of New York, and sunny California, telling Haiwen’s story from the present to the past while tracing Suchi’s from her childhood to the present, meeting in the crucible of their lives. Throughout, Haiwen holds his memories close while Suchi forces herself to look only forward, neither losing sight of the home they hold in their hearts.

A soft love story blooms in 1940s Shanghai when Suchi and Haiwen meet at school—Suchi, a firecracker full of life and perhaps too curious for her own good, and Haiwen, a quiet violinist perhaps too lost in his own head. Despite the strength of love and friendship, war will rip them apart because of Haiwen’s own choices. Chance encounters will bring the two together again and again, but the timing will never be right, their love not enough. But perhaps, sixty years later, the two can finally get it right, and life will let them.

This historical read was a challenge but well worth the fight. The abundance of timelines was difficult to grasp at first, but at some point the story flowed, and each decade shift felt natural and necessary. Despite Suchi and Haiwen’s love, this story was rift with tragedy, and I found myself begging for a happy ending. Regardless, I was happy to read their story and to know their family.

An engaging and historical read about two families who live in Shanghai, China during the war years with Japan. Haiwen and Suchi grow up together, hoping to be married someday. However, life experiences get in the way of them being together, despite their strong feelings for each other that lasts into adulthood.

Homeseeking is an emotional story about the lives of two people caught up in events beyond their control. The names were difficult to pronounce and the ending was a bit confusing, but I enjoyed the book to the very end.

Story of childhood sweethearts Suji and Haiwen, residents of Shanghai in the 1940's during the Japanese
occupation and the Chinese civil war that followed. The changes result in their separation and the difficulties
both endure .A heartbreaking read about family and the difficult decisions made in order to survive.
#Homeseeking #Penguin #Putnam #NetGalley

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of HOMESEEKING by Karissa Chen from a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

"Homeseeking" is a novel that you will want to savor, rationing each chapter so that it lasts longer. For all intents and purposes it's a love story about the impact of the Chinese Civil War on the two families of Suchi and Haiwen, who have loved each other since childhood. Karissa Chen follows each of them in different directions--Suchi's life is followed from childhood to adulthood and Haiwen's story begins as a senior and travels backwards t childhood.

This structure is only one of the unusual elements that Chen tosses into the story; Their names change from Shanghainese to Mandarin, to Cantonese, to Taiwanese to English as teach moves across the Chinese world, each new language making it harder to for families to find them and for them to return to the family and city they long for.

"Homeseeking" is completely engrossing, exciting and heart-tearing at the same time. The story is rich in exploring the impact of history on the lives of regular people and the struggle to emerge from trauma. You may want to shake Suchi and Haiwen for the way they handle some of their challenges, they, like all of us, are all too human. An immersive and unforgettable.

Thanks to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and the publisher for a digital review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.