Ann Liang

In this genre-bending YA debut, a Chinese American girl monetizes her strange new invisibility powers by discovering and selling her wealthy classmates’ most scandalous secrets.
 
Alice Sun has always felt invisible at her elite Beijing international boarding school, where she’s the only scholarship student among China’s most rich and influential teens. But then she starts uncontrollably turning invisible—actually invisible.
 
When her parents drop the news that they can no longer afford her tuition, even with the scholarship, Alice hatches a plan to monetize her strange new power—she’ll discover the scandalous secrets her classmates want to know, for a price.
 
But as the tasks escalate from petty scandals to actual crimes, Alice must decide if it’s worth losing her conscience—or even her life.

If You Could See the Sun

they'll get there. i'll get there. we'll get there.

nice

"Be the nation's greatest power couple?" he offers.

"I was going to say conquer the world," I admit. "But sure. I guess we can start small."

girl i have to tell you something bcs that does not sound like hate at all ! 🫵🏻

“I hate him and his flawless, porcelain skin and immaculate uniform and his composure, as untouchable and unfailing as his ever-growing list of achievements.”

“I’m friendly with everybody...but I’m friends with nobody.”

“Another author also said that the self and society are like the sea and the sky—a change in one reflects a change in the other.”

“You know,” I muse out loud, “if it weren’t for the fact that we hated each other’s guts, we’d probably make an impressive power duo.”

I expect Henry to raise his eyebrows at me as usual or make a cutting remark, but his footsteps suddenly slow beside me.

“Even if you forgot about the test, Alice, you’re a smart girl. I’m sure you’ll still do well.”

He’s wrong. Because even though I’m smart, I’m not that smart. ”

“I’ve long acknowledged and accepted my limitations, and done my best to compensate for them with sheer willpower and hard work.”

“He cares about you a lot more than he lets on.”

“You tend to stop being so scared when you’re angry,” he explains.

Confusion bubbles inside me. “How—how do you know that?”

Henry, whose head is resting against my shoulder, the soft curls of his hair brushing my cheek, his features smooth and unguarded in sleep. And everything about this moment is so lovely and so fragile in its loveliness that I’m almost afraid to hold it.”

“Then he shifts closer toward me—only by an inch, maybe less, yet it somehow makes all the difference in the world—and the silence changes, crackles with electricity, demanding to be filled.”

TANGINA NIYOAKDJKSJRJWJRJWHHFWBFBWBDB TANGINANG SLOW BURN ‘TO

“Is this the part where you kiss me?”

kajdjwjdkwjjdejbwjbdjwnennea baks ano ba baks

“I’ve missed fighting with you at school.”

“Why do I feel so fucking tired all the time?”

“Is this the Henry Li? The boy you’ve been talking about since Year Eight? Your”—she makes large air quotes with both hands—“biggest academic rival? The one you keep having to share the award with?”

I flush. “Uh...”	Henry leans in with great interest. “Oh? So she talks about me a lot?”

“I seize Henry Li’s collar and kiss him.”

“The rest of my words die on my tongue as Henry straightens, laughter still dancing in his eyes, cups my face in one hand, and presses his lips against mine.”

			I trail off, my mind whirring. I still want so much, so badly. My heart still aches for all the bright things beyond my reach. I want to be smarter and richer and stronger and just...better.”

“Descartes was wrong, you know, when he said, ‘To live well, you must live unseen.’ To live well, you must learn to see yourself first. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

merliah

“I’ve spent my whole life longing to be seen, but I’ve also come to realize that when people look too closely, they inevitably notice the ugly parts too, like how the tiny cracks on a polished vase only become visible under scrutiny.”

amna

I'm friendly with everybody... but I'm friends with nobody.

"Don't disappear again," he murmurs, his voice muffled against her skin. "I'm afraid I do not have the capacity to withstand it."

Absolutely pining for Warcross at this point

He hesitates, then laces his slender fingers through mine, and I have to focus very hard on remembering how to breathe. I don't think I'll ever get used to his proximity, or the way he's currently looking at me, like he's in as much awe as I am that we can just do this now. Just sit and hold hands in the near dark and say what we mean.

My fourth Ann Liang book in this little readathon I have going on! Honestly, I loved this book! So far, this one has the strongest writing and better storytelling. Of course, it’s not perfect, but I literally could not put it down! For a debut novel, this was quite strong, in my opinion.

As someone who grew up middle class (sometimes lower), seeing Alice burn herself out from everything just to help her and her family survive really hit home. Studying in prestigious schools and seeing classmates living better lives by being born in well-off families… the feeling of envy never disappears. Even with the smallest things, you can tell that they live in such different worlds compared to us, and that’s why it sucks. Alice’s constant fears were something I could relate to, especially only having one parent who’s the breadwinner. I can’t help but mirror it to my experiences back in my 3rd and 4th year of college, constantly feeling anxious about the school fees and whether or not I would graduate on time because of it. Although my mom kept reassuring me that everything would be alright (which they thankfully did), there was always this fear lingering at the back of my head. And Ann Liang did well in depicting those feelings — whenever I read those scenes, I tear up.

Compared to her other books, the romance wasn’t the main focus of the story. Yes, Henry still plays a big role in the plot and their banter was great, but I’m glad we really just focused on Alice. And I feel very strongly about this because if Ann Liang did a 180 and just turned this into a romance book, it wouldn’t be as interesting. I’m quite shocked that the average rating for this never reached 4 stars — when this is one of her best books???

Anyway, there were still some icks for me, like how BTS and BLACKPINK were mentioned. I mean, I get that it’s set in modern present time, but like… it ages the book and it just feels awkward. I also wished we knew more about Alice’s invisibility powers because surely there’s someone else who experienced something similar — hopefully that will be explored more in the spinoff book coming out next year… But yes, those were some of the reasons why I couldn’t give the book a 5 star.

I still loved the book nonetheless, and I hope Ann Liang does more magical realism, ‘cause she actually shines in it!

jinny

My fourth Ann Liang book in this little readathon I have going on! Honestly, I loved this book! So far, this one has the strongest writing and better storytelling. Of course, it’s not perfect, but I literally could not put it down! For a debut novel, this was quite strong, in my opinion.

As someone who grew up middle class (sometimes lower), seeing Alice burn herself out from everything just to help her and her family survive really hit home. Studying in prestigious schools and seeing classmates living better lives by being born in well-off families… the feeling of envy never disappears. Even with the smallest things, you can tell that they live in such different worlds compared to us, and that’s why it sucks. Alice’s constant fears were something I could relate to, especially only having one parent who’s the breadwinner. I can’t help but mirror it to my experiences back in my 3rd and 4th year of college, constantly feeling anxious about the school fees and whether or not I would graduate on time because of it. Although my mom kept reassuring me that everything would be alright (which they thankfully did), there was always this fear lingering at the back of my head. And Ann Liang did well in depicting those feelings — whenever I read those scenes, I tear up.

Compared to her other books, the romance wasn’t the main focus of the story. Yes, Henry still plays a big role in the plot and their banter was great, but I’m glad we really just focused on Alice. And I feel very strongly about this because if Ann Liang did a 180 and just turned this into a romance book, it wouldn’t be as interesting. I’m quite shocked that the average rating for this never reached 4 stars — when this is one of her best books???

Anyway, there were still some icks for me, like how BTS and BLACKPINK were mentioned. I mean, I get that it’s set in modern present time, but like… it ages the book and it just feels awkward. I also wished we knew more about Alice’s invisibility powers because surely there’s someone else who experienced something similar — hopefully that will be explored more in the spinoff book coming out next year… But yes, those were some of the reasons why I couldn’t give the book a 5 star.

I still loved the book nonetheless, and I hope Ann Liang does more magical realism, ‘cause she actually shines in it!

No characters have ever resonated with me the way Alice does. In her, I see myself: someone who feels the need to be better in order to be noticed, someone who appears to be friends with everyone yet feels like a true friend to no one.

🥨

The first book of Ann Liang that I've read.

At first, the storyline of this book seems a little flat. Although the premise is quite interesting. For almost half of the book is filled with Alice's inferiority complex and it made me a little bit depressed for how she look at everything with full of negativity. I knew, Alice's case is quite common in our society, especially when someone is surounded with privileges people.

But, at some point, I don't really like how she saw almost everything from negative side (eventhough I know she's only a high school student).

Luckily, I found some comfort from Alice and Henry interaction. I mean, they're quite cute tho. And I must admit that Henry actually got me with his charm.

For a debut book (if I'm not mistaken), this book is recomended. And overall, I could say, I love this one.

ℛ.

The first book of Ann Liang that I've read.

At first, the storyline of this book seems a little flat. Although the premise is quite interesting. For almost half of the book is filled with Alice's inferiority complex and it made me a little bit depressed for how she look at everything with full of negativity. I knew, Alice's case is quite common in our society, especially when someone is surounded with privileges people.

But, at some point, I don't really like how she saw almost everything from negative side (eventhough I know she's only a high school student).

Luckily, I found some comfort from Alice and Henry interaction. I mean, they're quite cute tho. And I must admit that Henry actually got me with his charm.

For a debut book (if I'm not mistaken), this book is recomended. And overall, I could say, I love this one.

esse foi o primeiro livro publicado pela autora e da pra perceber, mas o que ela peca na historia ela se redime pelo romance, melhor academic rivals to lovers que eu li em muito tempo

Pedro Rodarte

love alice n henry… alice is the realest  henry is bae 😵‍💫 def feel like it couldve done a bit more with the premise but rlly rlly enjoyed it nonetheless!

went into this blind and it really wasnt what i thought it was going to be but still a fun read ! i wish the invisibility concept was explained a bit more tho 😖 

aica

should've explored her invisibility ability more

dropped this book the first time i read it, but i decided to pick it up again — and i have no regrets in doing so !!! tagal ko lang natapos kasi ang daming happenings ng oat 🧍🏻‍♀️

loved the diversity, loved the setting, and loved the characters, but i wish henry and alice’s love story could have been more expanded or was longer (nag holding hands at kiss lang sila NEED KO PA NG MORE ROMANCE SCENES 🥹☹️😞☹️😭)

very unique plot pERO SO BITIN SA ENDING AAAAA needed more romance though and parang ang gulo ng status nila — sila na ba o ano ???

ANYWAY i hope this doesn’t find you by ann liang next 🔜‼️

dropped this book the first time i read it, but i decided to pick it up again — and i have no regrets in doing so !!! tagal ko lang natapos kasi ang daming happenings ng oat 🧍🏻‍♀️

loved the diversity, loved the setting, and loved the characters, but i wish henry and alice’s love story could have been more expanded or was longer (nag holding hands at kiss lang sila NEED KO PA NG MORE ROMANCE SCENES 🥹☹️😞☹️😭)

very unique plot pERO SO BITIN SA ENDING AAAAA needed more romance though and parang ang gulo ng status nila — sila na ba o ano ???

ANYWAY i hope this doesn’t find you by ann liang next 🔜‼️

AAAA INI YANG GUE MAU DALAM SEBUAH NOVEL!!!!! academic rivals to lovers with subtle tension of romance at first but tetep gentle(?) paced when they actually become lovers. baca dari jam buka puasa sampe sekarang udah mau ashar. truly page turning book yang gampang dicerna bersamaan dengan emosi si karakter yang somehow relatable, bikin makin asik dinikmati. i love how alice always try to save herself by herself without counting on henry’s help.

Alice Sun and Henry Li, you both have my heart 

Ysabela

cutest book EVER.
you want a cute academic rivals to lovers? a love story where he falls first and falls harder?? sprinkle in some fantasy and you’ve got the perfect book for a chill happy day. 

Ann liang just knows how to capture your heart, i’m 100% for alicehenri!!

máru

I continued reading this during the school break, and I love it even if it made me think about school in retrospect :,) Plus, I relate a lot to Alice as an asian academic achiever who belongs to the middle class </3 I think it’s a great debut release, but there were just things regarding how the app and the crimes ended that didn’t dawn on me in the way I wanted. It was a good and easy read though! Will definitely check Ann Liang’s other works because of this! 🩷

finished!! it was such a fun and light read but also full of life lessons idk how the author did it, delivered meaningful message in 20 chapters. AND alicehenry are so cute!!!

** spoiler alert **
           I loved it 🥰

"You have me." Henry was so sweet 🥰

thank you for taking me on an adventure! looking forward to the sequel (if there is 👀) would definitely love to read Alice, Henry, and Chanel’s experiences as they venture out to their business.

Linta

Henry and Alice are so cute. They perfectly executed the academic rivals to lovers 😩

Loved the book! Such a fun breezy read for the summer vacation. I really have nothing bad to say about it. It really hit close to home sometimes. Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend

MY KIND OF BOOK!!!! Please read this if you enjoy academic rivals to lovers

It made sense, the whole feeling like you don’t have much to offer and knowing that you are where you are now all because of your parents’ sacrifice

Haley

Greer Andersson

5⭐️
This book was SO beyond enjoyable that I really really didn’t want it to end. Perfectly depicts the incessant need to fit in and the feeling like you only have 1 thing to offer. I love Alice so much and Henry is a great love interest. Absolutely flew through this book.

Ellie M.

When I say this book hit me too close to home, I mean it like an arrow literally hit me bullseye in the chest. I can’t believe this was Ann Liang’s debut novel because her writing is absolutely impeccable! This was a very sweet and heartwarming academic rivals to lovers story that delivered so hard as it also compassionately explored class, wealth, and privilege. It got me hooked the moment Alice’s character was introduced. Alice’s journey to discovering herself was emotional, and self-reflecting as a reader. I found it more enjoyable that she was the very representation of who I used to be back then so I easily connected with her. This book had a touching, and unforgettable story with amazing characters that are so easily to fall in love with. 
 
I started this book as a birthday gift to my friend Claui, @thestarlitbooks in mind, and it was absolutely worth it.

haven't read a book about academic rivals this good in awhile

If You Could See the Sun

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