Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Can't Wait Wednesday!


Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am combining CWW with Books From the Backlog hosted by Carole at Carole's Random Life in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.

This week I can't wait for:
Frankly in Love 
David Yoon
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Goodreads
Two friends. One fake dating scheme. What could possibly go wrong?

Frank Li has two names. There’s Frank Li, his American name. Then there’s Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California.

Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl—which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit…who is white.

As Frank falls in love for the very first time, he’s forced to confront the fact that while his parents sacrificed everything to raise him in the land of opportunity, their traditional expectations don’t leave a lot of room for him to be a regular American teen. Desperate to be with Brit without his parents finding out, Frank turns to family friend Joy Song, who is in a similar bind. Together, they come up with a plan to help each other and keep their parents off their backs. Frank thinks he’s found the solution to all his problems, but when life throws him a curveball, he’s left wondering whether he ever really knew anything about love—or himself—at all.

In this moving novel, debut author David Yoon takes on the question of who am I? with a result that is humorous, heartfelt, and ultimately unforgettable.
Why I want to read this book

First and foremost, we get FAKE DATING! And, not only do we get fake dating, but we get it two times over. That trope is always a good time, and I am eager to see where Yoon takes it. I am also interesting in reading about a character, who is kind of torn in two. From the synopsis, I gleaned that Frank is split between the American world he lives in, and his cultural expectations. Being as this is OwnVoices, I am looking forward to Yoon's insights.

Confederates Don't Wear Couture
Stephanie Kate Strohm
Series: Pilgrims, #2
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Goodreads
Publishers Weekly praised the Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink author Stephanie Kate Strohm for "turning a strong heroine and a few surprises into a clever, tightly written book that will keep readers wondering who will become Libby's Mr. Darcy." This romantic sequel follows suit in high style! High-style hoopskirts, that is . . .

When history nerd Libby's fashion designer best friend asks for help selling his gowns to the wives of Civil War reenactors, she jumps at the chance to frolick on a nineteenth-century playground. But Alabama's no sweet home: sweltering heat, no Starbucks, a vengeful ghost . . .

And the boys? Miss Libby's got the North and the South fighting for her heart.
Why I want to read this book

Stephanie Kate Strohm is an author I can rely on to bring the funny. I enjoy her humor, and her books never fail to amuse me. The previous book in this series, Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, was a lot of fun. I enjoyed Libby's summer antics, and thought the historical bits were a nice touch. I am absolutely looking forward to catching up with Libby, though the last line has me a little worried, as I am a huge fan of her love interest from the first book. I guess I will have to wait and see how it all plays out.

What are you waiting on?
Any backlog books you want to read soon? 
Let us know in the comments!

36 comments:

  1. I'm a massive fan of fake dating too Sam! I was totally stoked when a copy of Frankly In Love arrived in my letterbox last week, I can't wait to crack it open and start. The diversity sounds brilliant as well. Such great choices this week Sam, hope you can get your hands on a copy soon!

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    1. I am so jealous you have a copy!! I hope you love it. It just looks like something I would love.

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  2. Strohm does write humor very well! Sounds like a fun read!

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    1. So far, lots of fun, and the history bits are cool too.

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  3. Both of these sound like fun! You always share books I've not heard of and my TBR continues to grow. LOL

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  4. Frankly In Love sounds like a lot of fun. I love how Frank and Joy Song team up to help each other out. Methinks there may end up being more there than partners in crime? :)

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    1. I love when a fauxmance turns into a good romance, so you know I am hoping for "more"

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  5. These are some really great sounding picks! Hope you get to enjoy them both.

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  6. I'm 25% done with Frankly in Love and wasn't even aware this book involved fake dating until a few pages ago! I love this trope!! I requested this ARC because of the male POV Korean/American cultural conflict. Have you seen the promised final hardcover with the stunning blue dyed edges? This book is going to make for excellent bookstagram pics.

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    1. You are blessed by the books gods. I was rejected for this book, so I am keeping my fingers crossed my eLibrary gets it. Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

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  7. I think Frankly in Love looks like a lot of fun, and even though this is totally immaterial to the plot, I like that cover too with the different font thingy. Also the OwnVoices and cultural/ family expectations thing- sounds great.

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    1. The cover, though not overly done, is kind of cool. The font and the colors totally caught my attention.

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  8. Frankly in Love is also on my TBR list. I can relate to growing up split being American culture and asian culture.

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    1. That's great that you can find a piece of yourself in a book. I hope we both get to read it and LOVE it!

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  9. Frankly in Love sounds really good! I'll be curious to hear what people think.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. So far, buzz is good, but with a fun premise, I am not surprised.

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  10. Frankly in love sounds awesome! I love books that give us a glimpse in to different culture's and love the fake dating trope as well. This story has me wondering what the curveball is going to be. I wonder if he's going to fall in love with his friend. Great pick Sam!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. I never feel like I go wrong with fake dating, and I am always wanting to read #OwnVoices books to get a good perspective on different cultures/beliefs. I sense a triangle in this one.

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  11. FAKE DATING IS THE BEST TROPEEEE. I'm so excited for Frank Li; it sounds like an adventure and it'll be cute as well.

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    1. Right? Fake dating is always a good bet, and so far, I am hearing lots of good things about this book.

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  12. That Frankly In Love cover is migraine inducing! The blurb sounds fun though. I hope you like!

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    1. I don't know, I liked it. You should see the book with the purple dyed pages.

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  13. Have you seen the trailer for Frankly In Love? It's awesome!

    https://twitter.com/PenguinTeen/status/1154172072039460864

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    1. I saw it on Twitter the other day. So cute!!!!

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  14. Awww I'm so looking forward to Frankly in Love too! I read an excerpt and was pulled in. But alas no ARC so i will have to wait. I do love Frank's narrative voice. ❤️

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    1. No ARC for me either. Penguin does NOT have a lot of love for me. Maybe there will be a tour.

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  15. The weird thing for me is that I seem to really want a particular book, wait impatiently for it to be released, buy it straight away...and then it sits on my bookshelves for years before I finally read it!

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    1. I won't lie, same thing here, but I have been keeping track, and I do read most of these CWW picks by the end of the year.

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  16. I haven't heard of Strohm, but her books sound super cute! I'm going to give them a try for sure.

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    1. This is one of her early books, but I have really enjoyed them all. My first book by her is still my favorite - It's Not Me, It's You. The oral history and fast paced antics had me rolling.

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  17. Frankly in Love is one I'm really excited for as well. I always find fake dating stories entertaining. :)

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    1. And, as if the trope wasn't enough to make me want to read it, the trailer was adorable.

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