The Way You Make Me Feel

Clara Shin lives her life as the class prankster, refusing to take anything seriously until a joke at prom spirals out of control. As punishment, her father makes her work at his Korean-Brazilian food truck for the summer alongside her nemesis Rose Carver. The summer job forces Clara to step out of her comfort zone as she learns to manage responsibility, deal with difficult customers, and navigate an unexpected romance. Her strained relationship with her Instagram-influencer mother and her close bond with her father add complexity to her journey of self-discovery. The story explores themes of friendship, family dynamics, and personal growth through the lens of a Korean-American teenager in Los Angeles. Through Clara's experiences, the narrative examines how assumptions and defense mechanisms can hold people back from authentic connections and genuine happiness.

Readers say this YA contemporary romance delivers a fun summer story with authentic Korean-American representation. The book receives particular praise for its portrayal of family relationships, especially between Clara and her food truck-owning father. Readers appreciate: - The growth of Clara's character from prankster to more mature teen - Food descriptions and LA summer atmosphere - The sweet romance that develops naturally - Complex parent-child dynamics - Humor and witty dialogue Common criticisms: - Clara starts as an unlikeable protagonist - Some find the character development rushed - Romance feels secondary to other plot elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.82/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ reviews) Multiple readers note the book works better as a coming-of-age story than a romance. As one Goodreads reviewer states: "This is more about Clara's journey of self-discovery than her love life, which I actually ended up preferring."

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💫 The author, Maurene Goo, draws from her own experiences growing up in Los Angeles to create authentic Korean-American characters and vivid descriptions of LA's diverse food scene. 🌟 The food truck featured in the novel, KoBra (Korean-Brazilian fusion), was inspired by the real-life LA food truck culture that exploded in popularity after the success of Kogi BBQ in 2008. 🍜 Clara's journey from prankster to responsible food truck worker mirrors the author's own teenage job experiences, including working at her parents' Korean restaurant. 🎭 The novel tackles themes of identity and cultural fusion not just through food, but through its characters' mixed heritage - Clara is Korean-Brazilian-American, reflecting LA's multicultural landscape. 🌴 The book's summer romance storyline unfolds across real Los Angeles locations, including Grand Central Market and Venice Beach, providing readers with an authentic tour of the city's landmarks.