Gemma is hoping to connect with her roots while she is there and find a sense of belonging. To make matters more complicated, the movie is being filmed in Beijing, a place that she knows her parents came from but about which they won't speak. She will be working with her idol, Eilene Deng, who is co-directing and has her own vision for the movie, despite the way that Hollywood has planned the script.

That is, until she lands a role that has the possibility to launch her career - if she can come to terms with the racist and homophobic way that the character has been written. As a Chinese American, Gemma does not quite feel like she fits in the US, and the acting roles she auditions for tend to make that all too clear. Her parents do not love this idea, as they think she should go to college first, but they are generally supportive, offering to help pay rent for the 2-bedroom apartment she shares with two other aspiring actresses. Gemma is taking a gap year after high school to pursue her dream of acting in LA. HEIRESS APPARENTLY is a YA rom-com with deep themes that make it such an engaging and captivating read. Kuddos on having a Chinese American protagonist in a romantic Rom-Com world. This is part of a series on descendants of the Chinese Dynasty. I felt the author glossed over that and also how important Communist leaders were also erased from a Google search.įun YA meets CRAZY RICH ASIANS. I did want to know more on what the consequences would be if an American persisted in knowing more about that day. There is mention of Tienanmen Square and how the Chinese government basically had it erased. The bubbling romance between her and Eric is one that starts off on the wrong foot, but he ends up becoming her ally while she faces Chinese relatives she never knew about. This also includes her standing up to homophobic stereotypes. The interactions with a cousin she never knew about, along with her trying to overcome stereotypes out there on Chinese characters in the movie world are very real. Gemma is curious, determined, and not afraid to search out a mystery behind her own parent's past. Readers get a glimpse into another view of China that isn't on social media. I liked Gemma's reaction when she steps off the plane in Bejing and is mistaken for a socialite. This only has Gemma curious on why her mother doesn't want her to go there. One thing though her mother insists is that Gemma never go to Bejing. Her Chinese mother pressures Gemma be more serious about her future which includes attending college. This is very realistic portrayal of what some teens do now.

Gemma Huang is taking a Gap year after high school to focus on an acting career. What worked: This was a fun take on Crazy Rich Asians meets descendants of Empress Regent of China.

Love's Wicked Ways by Diana Summers