I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang Book Review

Title: I Hope This Doesn't Find You
Author: Ann Liang
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: March 2, 2021
Pages: 320

Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a "pleasure to have in class." It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all times: she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. She'd never send them of course -- she'd rather die than hurt anyone's feelings -- but it's a relief to let loose on her power-hungry English teacher or a freeloading classmate taking credit for Sadie's work.

All her most vehemently worded emails are directed at her infuriating cocaptain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive streak have irked Sadie since they were kids. "You're attention starved and self-obsessed and unbearably vain . . . I really hope your comb breaks and you run out of whatever expensive hair products you've been using to make your hair appear deceptively soft..."

Sadie doesn't have to hold back in her emails, because nobody will ever read them... that is, until they're accidentally sent out.

Overnight, Sadie’s carefully crafted, conflict-free life is turned upside down. It's her worst nightmare -- now everyone at school knows what she really thinks of them, and they're not afraid to tell her what they really think of her either. But amidst the chaos, there's one person growing to appreciate the "real" Sadie -- Julius, the only boy she's sworn to hate...

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My Thoughts

Sadie is your model student, valedictorian, and a people pleaser. While she's doing her best to make everyone around her happy, her rival Julius is cool, calm, and collected. He does whatever he wants and Sadie thinks he hates him but little does she know....

Why is it me? Why do you always single me out?

Sadie's frustration at her inability to say no results in emails. They are raw and honest, definitely not for anyone else's eyes to see but hers. Then the emails get out and now Sadie is now enter of attention and even the principal has taken attention.

I want you to hold me like a grudge, keep me like a promise, haunt me like a ghost.

To make matters worse, Julius and Sadie must complete a series of tasks together to convince the principal that they indeed can get along. After all, they both represent their grade and school so no damage to the school's reputation can be made.

You were right, Sadie Wen. I am completely, helplessly obsessed with you.

Star Review: ★★★★☆ (4)

Ok so I'm not really sure why it took me so long to read but it was so good! I love enemies to lovers and the only thing that tops that is academic rivals. The angst. The banter. The back and forth between Sadie and Julius was just perfection.

I was so invested in the characters. Sadie seems fine on the outside and keeps the pieces of herself breaking tucked away. Being able to read her internal monologue really makes her that 3D character. As for Julius, he has the nonchalant attitude towards everyone but only manages to lose control when it comes to Sadie. He's also so sweet to her and does so much for her when she isn't looking.

Overall, I Hope This Doesn't Find You was just such a delightful read. I finished it so fast and so excited to read other books by Ann Liang. I can totally get why everyone raves about her books all over Bookstagram and whatnot. 

About the Author

Ann Liang is the New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestselling author of critically acclaimed young adult and adult fiction. Her books have been sold in over twenty foreign territories. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America as a GMA Book Club pick, and on the Today show, Cosmopolitan, PEOPLE, Harper’s Bazaar, and more. Born in Beijing, she grew up traveling back and forth between China and Australia, but somehow ended up with an American accent. She now lives in Melbourne. You can find her on Instagram at @annliangwrites, or by visiting her website, annliang.com.