This Is My Brain in Love

Jocelyn Wu is a Chinese-American teenager whose family owns a struggling restaurant in Utica, New York. When Will Domenici starts working at her family's restaurant, Jocelyn finds herself developing feelings for him while also trying to save the business. As Jocelyn and Will grow closer, they each confront personal challenges. Jocelyn deals with mounting anxiety and pressure from her parents, while Will faces his own mental health struggles and complicated family dynamics. Through their relationship and individual journeys, both teens learn to navigate cultural differences, family expectations, and the realities of living with mental illness. They must find ways to communicate honestly with their families and each other about their experiences. The novel explores the intersection of mental health, cultural identity, and first love while highlighting the importance of seeking help and breaking stigmas. Its dual narrative structure allows readers to understand both perspectives as the characters work toward self-acceptance and understanding.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of anxiety and depression through both main characters' perspectives. Many note the book handles mental health stigma in Asian-American families with care and nuance. The romance develops naturally, according to reviews, while addressing cultural differences between Chinese and Nigerian-American families. Readers highlight: - Realistic teen dialogue and relationships - Accurate depiction of working in a family restaurant - Educational but not preachy mental health representation Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Some found the dual POV structure confusing - A few readers wanted more development of side characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (25+ ratings) One reader noted: "Finally a YA book that shows therapy and medication in a positive light without making it the entire plot."

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🧠 Author I.W. Gregorio is a practicing surgeon as well as an award-winning writer, bringing medical authenticity to the mental health aspects of the novel. 🍜 The book's portrayal of a family-owned Chinese-American restaurant draws from real experiences of Asian-American families in the restaurant industry, where approximately 26% of restaurant owners are Asian-American. 💕 The love story between Jocelyn and Will tackles not just cultural differences but also the intersection of mental health stigmas in both Chinese and African-American communities. 📚 The author co-founded We Need Diverse Books, a nonprofit organization that advocates for essential changes in the publishing industry to produce literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. 🗣️ The book includes Mandarin Chinese phrases throughout the narrative, complete with pronunciation guides to help readers learn and understand the language elements woven into the story.