I Hope This Doesn't Find You

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You

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Ann Liang

01.02.2024

Scholastic

Young Adult, Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers

Disclaimer: these thoughts are entirely my own, based on my reading experience, and is no reflection of whether or not this title should be read. Thus, I try to keep my writing fair and constructive, and reveal my personal rating at the end. I always enjoy reading the varying thoughts of other readers because we all experience books differently - which is just so wonderful! So please feel free to leave a comment at the end.

Please be aware that this review may contain spoilers.

✨ BOOK SYNOPSIS 📖

Seventeen-year-old Sadie Wen is perfect on paper. It’s a reputation she’s fought hard to earn at the highly prestigious Woodvale Academy, and one she’s determined to maintain until graduation.

The trick to keeping her model-student-smile plastered on her face at all times? She channels all her petty frustrations into her email drafts. One for the math teacher who refused to round her eighty-nine-point-nine percent up to ninety; one for the girl who blatantly copied her science project and took the credit for it. But most of her vehemently-worded emails are for her smug, infuriating co-captain, Julius Gong, who’s been the sharpest thorn in her side ever since they were kids. Sadie never meant for these emails to get out... but now her whole life is about to change...

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✨ MY REVIEW 🤔

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is an academia enemies to lovers that explores the consequences of putting everyone else’s needs above that of one’s own.

Sadie Wen is fixated on succeeding at two things: pleasing everyone without complaint, and being better academically than Julius Gong. With no room for error in her meticulous planning. 

But how does a people-pleaser such a Sadie Wen vent if not to others? 

Via email drafts.

These unsent emails contain the rawest of emotions that are, for the most part: brutally honest. However, as brutal as they may be, this has served as a safe space for Sadie to unleash her emotional burdens free from prying eyes, and free from causing others hurt. If these emails were to ever be discovered it would damage the helpful and reliable reputation key to her graduating with honours.

For ten years Sadie has been able to keep up this avenue of venting her feelings and frustrations. Undetected and undiscovered. Until one day: the emails disappear from Sadie’s drafts. 

From that moment Sadie goes from a favoured helpful student to one of loathing. Sadie is beside herself with worry, fear, and confusion, because how were the emails sent and how is she going to make things right before graduation when everyone hates her?

Things are put into motion when Sadie and Julius have a very public altercation, and are called upon by the head teacher to salvage the school’s prestigious reputation. One that is hanging by a thread because of them; the School Captains.

The trouble is that Sadie and Julius hate each other, and have been academic enemies for the past decade. Competing for the top spot in their year in every exam, test, and sport activity. 

What they don’t expect is for their newfound partnership to bring them closer, as their personal life and insecurities are bared for each other to witness. Sadie’s in the form of her love for her Mother and Brother, and internal blame for her Father having left. Julius’ in the form of family pressure to be the best, particularly by his older and successful brother. 

The question is...

Who sent the emails?

Why is Julius so intent on vexing Sadie at every opportunity, and vice-versa?

How is Sadie going to make things right with those she wrote about?

Why does Sadie have a people-pleasing complex?

Can everything be rectified and Sadie's academic reputation salvaged?

I shall leave those for you to answer, for this story is most certainly worth a read as Ann Liang has masterfully weaved this story together with beautiful writing, fluttering chemistry, compelling plot, and rewarding character development. There is a charm and weight that compelled me to root for Sadie; who has been carrying a heavy burden that someone of her age shouldn’t have.

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I’d like to wrap up this entry by thanking you for taking the time to read my review of I Hope This Doesn’t Find You. If you have read this title I would love to share in your own experience in the comments below.

 ✨ RATING 📣

4/5

✨ COMPLETION DATE 🗓️

     03.06.2024