
Reach for this book when your teen feels stifled by the pressure of living up to your expectations or feels like their true identity is hidden behind a label or a grade. It is a heartfelt contemporary story about two Korean American teens who, through a technical mix-up at a prestigious tech internship, swap identities to pursue their own goals: one seeking freedom from a demanding father and the other chasing a path to a top-tier college. The story explores the heavy weight of the 'model minority' myth, the complexity of immigrant family dynamics, and the courage it takes to be honest with oneself. It is highly appropriate for high schoolers, offering a relatable look at the high-stakes world of corporate internships while balancing a sweet, budding romance with deeper themes of self-discovery and cultural belonging.
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Sign in to write a reviewOccasional mild profanity typical of YA contemporary novels.
Protagonists engage in a long-term lie and identity fraud to achieve their goals.
Depicts emotional strain and coldness within parent-child relationships.
The book deals with parental pressure and emotional manipulation in a direct, realistic manner. It explores the 'tiger parent' trope with nuance, showing the trauma it can cause. The approach is secular and the resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality that family relationships require work.
A high school junior or senior who feels like their life path has been pre-determined by their parents and is looking for the vocabulary to express their own desires.
Parents should be aware of the intense depiction of Elijah's father, who is verbally harsh. It serves as a good mirror for discussing healthy vs. unhealthy expectations. A parent might see their teen burnout or hear them say, 'I'm only doing this because you want me to.'
Younger teens will focus on the 'parent-trap' style fun and the romance. Older teens will resonate deeply with the anxiety surrounding college applications and the fear of professional failure.
Unlike many identity-swap stories, this one is rooted specifically in the nuances of Korean naming conventions and the specific pressures of the tech industry, making the stakes feel modern and tangible.
Jessica Lee and Elijah Ri share the same Korean name (Lee Hwa-young and Ri Hwa-young). When they arrive for a summer internship at Haneul Corporation, a mix-up places Jessica in the executive track and Elijah in the coding track. They agree to maintain the ruse: Jessica wants the elite recommendation for her college apps, while Elijah, the CEO's son, wants to prove he can code without his father's interference. As they navigate their new roles, they find themselves falling for each other while facing the inevitable fallout of their deception.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.