Wonderstruck

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Pub Date Aug 02 2024 | Archive Date Jul 23 2024

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Description

Serena Inthavong always played it safe growing up. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it protected her from the outside world and revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she gears up for her senior year at Skyline High School, Serena is determined to live her life for her and no one else. Little does she know, high school isn’t always like the movies. With drama-filled hallways and an unexpected return to cheerleading–a world she had left behind for valid reasons–Serena's journey through high school will be anything but conventional.

Meanwhile, Tyler Westman sailed through high school like it was a breeze up until his senior year with competing responsibilities at home and school. Between lacrosse, maintaining his friendships, taking care of his sister, and getting his grades up for college applications, it’s turning into an endless responsibility juggling. But beneath his cool exterior lurks a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that came along with it. When he crosses paths with Serena, a girl with magnetic energy, he will find himself drawn to her like never before.

As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she will start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he will find layers to her personality that he won’t be able to resist.

Serena Inthavong always played it safe growing up. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it protected her from the outside world and revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she gears up for her senior...


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Average rating from 92 members


Featured Reviews

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
I really enjoyed everything in this book, the romance, the side stories, all of Serena’s history.

Tyler is defo one of my book bfs now. Also the nicknames 💗💗💗

I hope there will be a book abt her stepbrother and bsf.

Also all of the references to some of my fav books and Taylor swift and other singers was also amazing.

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Wonderstruck is a refreshing take on high school romance that blends the excitement of senior year with personal growth and unexpected twists. Serena Inthavong, who’s determined to break free from her old, safe routines, finds herself navigating a chaotic high school world and a return to cheerleading. Tyler Westman, juggling responsibilities and seeking something real, is drawn to Serena’s vibrant spirit. The book captures the essence of teenage struggles and romance in a way that feels genuine and relatable. I loved how it portrayed the complexity of growing up and finding oneself, making it a great read.

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Hold onto your hearts, folks! 💖 Wonderstruck is the high school romance you didn’t know you needed. Serena is ready to shake up her senior year and ditch her old, safe ways, and Tyler? He’s juggling school, lacrosse, and life’s mess while craving something real. When these two collide, sparks fly! This book is all about finding your place and someone who gets you. If you’re looking for a sweet, fun, and totally relatable read that’ll make you feel all the feels, grab this one ASAP! 📚✨

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I absolutely love this book!! It was so cute.
Rate: 5/5
Spice: 1/5

Serena is a high school senior that was homeschooled the past 3 years. She wanted to venture out, so she decided to go to public school for her last year. One day, while at work, she meets a guy named Tyler. She secretly had a crush on him, but little did she know, he liked her too. They end up going to the same high school, where she becomes his tutor for trig. The started off as friends, but the more they are around each other and learning about one another, they start to develop strong feelings. She's had a lot of bad things happen to her, that she is afraid of letting people in.

Tyler doesn't give up on her, no matter how hard she pushes him away. She finally faces all of her demons and lets him in. They have a rocky start, but he's constantly always there for her when she needs him.

I would 100% recommend this book when it comes out!!

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I recently read Wonderstruck by Seraphina Chen and absolutely loved it! This book is like a warm hug, a cozy read that I savored every second of. Both the MCs have an undeniable chemistry that made me root for them from the start. I especially enjoyed the friends-to-lovers dynamic, which added depth to their relationship. Beyond being a delightful romance, Wonderstruck explores personal growth and development, showing how characters evolve together. I devoured this book in just one day—it was that captivating! Huge thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

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Cozy book+cozy evening = five stars

Serena was always cautious when she was younger. It wasn't the path she wanted, but it kept her safe from the outside world and protected her from revisiting her emotional trauma. Now, as she prepares for her senior year at Skyline High School, Serena is set on living her life for herself. She has no idea that high school isn’t always like the movies.
Tyler Westman found high school pretty easy up until his senior year, when he had to juggle responsibilities at home and school. On top of lacrosse, maintaining friendships, caring for his sister and improving his grades for college applications, it’s becoming an endless juggling act. But there's more to him than meets the eye. He's got a desire for something more genuine than fleeting popularity and the attention that comes with it. When he meets Serena, a girl with a strong personality, he'll find himself drawn to her like never before.
As Serena tries to find her place in the chaos of high school and growing up, she feels like an outsider in her own story. But with Tyler tagging along, she'll start to see the silver lining in the teenage turmoil. And as Tyler gets to know Serena, he'll find there's more to her than meets the eye.

I like this story. Its funny, cozy and a little bit spice. Serena is cute and Tylor is true golden retriver. Its Sraphina Chen's debute novel and she did her job perfect.

Thank Netgalley for providing ARC of this book.

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This was such a cute read. The perfect friends to lovers. The relationship between Tyler and Serena was adorable and I loved watching them fall in love. This book has tropes like brothers best friend and sports romance. The 3rd act broke me. This book had such an engaging plot and I loved all the characters. It was great to see them work through their issues. Loved this book

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ARC Book Review: *Wonderstruck* by Seraphina Chen**

Rating: 5/5🌟

Seraphina Chen's *Wonderstruck* is a captivating and heartwarming YA romance that beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of high school life. With its well-drawn characters and engaging storyline, this novel is a delightful read that will resonate with both teens and adults.

The story centers around Serena Inthavong, a high school senior determined to live life on her own terms after years of playing it safe. As she navigates the challenges of her final year at Skyline High School, Serena's return to cheerleading and the drama-filled hallways provide a realistic backdrop for her journey of self-discovery. Serena's character is relatable and inspiring, as she faces her fears and learns to embrace her true self.

Tyler Westman, on the other hand, is the quintessential high school golden boy who begins to see through the superficiality of his popularity. As he juggles lacrosse, family responsibilities, and the pressures of college applications, Tyler's path intersects with Serena's, leading to an unexpected and profound connection. Tyler's character development is compelling, showcasing his transition from a carefree teenager to someone seeking deeper meaning and authenticity in his life.

The chemistry between Serena and Tyler is palpable from their first interaction. Chen expertly crafts their relationship, allowing it to grow organically amidst the chaos of high school life. Their journey together is filled with genuine moments of vulnerability, laughter, and growth, making their bond feel both realistic and deeply moving. The dual perspectives provide a comprehensive view of their inner struggles and the ways they help each other navigate their respective challenges.

*Wonderstruck* shines in its portrayal of high school life with all its highs and lows. The drama, friendships, and pressures are depicted with authenticity, making the setting come alive. Chen's writing is both heartfelt and engaging, capturing the essence of teenage turmoil and the magic of first love. The narrative flows seamlessly, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of emotional trauma and the importance of facing one's fears. Serena's journey is particularly poignant as she confronts her past and learns to trust herself. Tyler's storyline adds depth, highlighting the struggles of balancing multiple responsibilities while staying true to oneself.

In summary, *Wonderstruck* by Seraphina Chen is a beautifully crafted YA romance that offers a perfect blend of emotion, humor, and inspiration. With its relatable characters and engaging plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartfelt and uplifting story about love, growth, and finding one's place in the world.


A delightful and emotionally resonant read, *Wonderstruck* is sure to leave readers feeling inspired and moved. Seraphina Chen has crafted a story that beautifully captures the essence of teenage life and the transformative power of love.

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This was actually very cute. I like dhow they got to know each other, and their cute dates. I liked them so much and the third act had me screaming. I thought it was cute. I enjoyed this a lot.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I really really enjoyed this book! The tension was perfect it was a slow burn but not a boring slow burn things still happened. This was the perfect friends to lovers! I cried at the end!!! But honestly I loved how it still touched on important things like parent loss , parental abandonment etc ! Such a great book

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"And there goes that laugh, the one I want to add to my favourite playlist and keep on repeat"

Firstly, thank you so much to Netgalley and Seraphina for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely LOVED this book for about a million different reasons, but my review would be the length of a book if I listed all of them, so I'm going to list a few.

Story:
If you are looking for a cute, easy to read, fluffy, fast-paced romance, Wonderstruck is for you. From the first page, the book had me hooked, I couldn't put it down. The flow of the storyline was amazing, the plot line was consistent and smooth. I was literally either giggling or blushing almost that entire read, it was just so cute. This book is also a 'teen' romance (however it is recommended for 18+), and all of the relevant book, character and song references through the book had me DEAD. AND, I was craving egg rolls and boba that entire book. It was just so good and I can't wait for release day so I can grab this book in paperback for my shelf!!

Characters:
Tyler and Serena both have depth to their character, both flawed in one way or another. I loved how this book wasn't only focusing on a romantic progression between the characters, but an individual self-acceptance/discovery story. The chemistry between Tyler and Serena was just amazing, and the progression of their story just felt so natural and realistic, which was honestly so refreshing to read. AND THE NICKNAMES OMG AHHHHHH!!

Tyler: We LOVE a man who is absolutely whipped from page 1. New book boyfriend alert!!

Serena: Such a sweetheart, there were times through the book where I just wanted to give her a hug. I loved her personality so so much, especially the depth to her character. And her little senior bucket list just reminded me of my own senior bucket list, which was so sweet.

Tropes:
- dual pov
- friends to lovers
- brother's best friend
- coming of age
- she's his tutor
- he falls first and harder
- sunshine x sunshine

Quotes:
yes, my whole clippings section on my kindle is FILLED with Wonderstruck quotes, but here are a few:
- "Her laugh is infectious, her smile is so genuine. And those damn coffee-brown eyes."
- "Maybe I'm thinking with my heart and not my brain. Maybe I'm not thinking at all"
- "I'm tired of not being the main character in my own story"
- "I'm an idiot sandwich"
- "I have to admit, I'm finding it hard to concentrate with you looking like that"
- "You both look at each other a little too long to be just friends."

I'll be needing Jared and Alli's story real soon too!

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