Chloe and the Kaishao Boys

Gr 8 Up–Friendship, matchmaking, family expectations, and a Filipino debut come together in this sweet novel about finding who you are. Chloe Lang lives in the Philippines with her dad, and recently finished high school. She has been wait-listed by USC, and her debut is fast approaching. Coming from a Chinese family, she is navigating the societal pressure of having a big 18th birthday party, and although she’s expected to have many male suitors, she’s never even been kissed. In the Filipino tradition, her aunt begins to kaishao her, meaning, she sets Chloe up to meet boys. Her dream of going to the United States to study animation is in jeopardy as her dad wants her to join the family business. When her submission to the Filipino Animation Festival is rejected, Chloe will have to decide who she wants to be and who she wants to be with. Between love triangles and enemies-to-lovers, this novel explores a few romantic tropes, but the highlight is a relatable heroine who is leaving her childhood behind and focusing on the adult she wants to become. With funny quips and a great deal of current pop culture, this story will appeal to most readers.