If You Still Recognise Me has been on my goodreads TBR for a little while, now. To be completely honest, I don’t remember where or how I found out about it, but when I found this beautiful book in my local bookstore, I just couldn’t resist. Call it gut feeling or something, but… I picked it up and I’m so glad I did. I hope you will, too. Check out my review below!
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So Published by Little Tiger on June 9, 2022
Genres: contemporary, young adult
Format: Paperback
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Elsie has a crush on Ada, the only person in the world who truly understands her. Unfortunately, they've never met in real life and Ada lives an ocean away. But Elsie has decided it's now or never to tell Ada how she feels. That is, until her long-lost best friend Joan walks back into her life.
In a summer of repairing broken connections and building surprising new ones, Elsie realises that she isn't nearly as alone as she thought. But now she has a choice to make...
☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:
toxic relationship (in the past), homophobia.There are no spoilers in this review.
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I ENJOYED…
☂️
- If You Still Recognise Me follows Elsie, an 18 years-old, in the summer just after graduation. We slowly get to know her, discover her crush on Ada, her online friend, her passion for a particular comic, her struggles with her family as her grandmother moves to England for the summer after the loss of her husband, Elsie’s grandfather… and the return of her childhood best friend after so many years without talking to each other. This is an absolutely beautiful coming of age story that seems like it deals with a lot, but… it doesn’t feel like a lot. It feels like following Elsie for a little slice of life and it’s just, wonderful.
- Elsie was a lovely main character to follow, I immediately fell for her. She’s insecure after a toxic relationship, she’s falling for someone she hasn’t met just yet, she’s scared of coming out as bisexual to her parents… I really loved how she grew as the story went on, what she learned about herself, her family and most of it all, how she managed to slowly, little by little, let go of the past, as well.
- I deeply loved how fandom is included in this story. We can see how much Elsie cares for her favorite comic, how it shapes a lot of her conversations, her passion for it really shines through. I always love a good book dealing with being part of a fandom and the feelings it brings on, plus the deep connections it creates. It’s included in the story in such a lovely way, that will deeply echo to anyone who has ever been a part of a fandom. Yet, it’s also not too overwhelming.
- There’s such a lovely place for friendships in this story. I loved Rikita, Elsie’s best friend, always here for her and yet not afraid to tell her when things aren’t alright. I also deeply appreciated seeing Joan, Elsie’s best friend’s return and how they slowly found their old friendship again.
- If You Still Recognise Me focuses heavily on family as well, something I deeply loved. There are family secrets and I just loved seeing every single interaction with Elsie and every member of her family. Complex, heartbreaking at times, tentatives in other times, but just so, so good and real.
- I just loved the themes of this book very, very much. While it feels like it’s dealing with a lot, I found it not to be overwhelming, at all. From being a queer woman of color to grieving a toxic relationship, to finding yourself and the importance of platonic relationships as well, this is such a well-rounded YA contemporary read.
I HARD A HARD TIME WITH…
☂️
- Just a tiny little thing, and since I’m trying to keep this spoiler-free, I won’t mention it in details. I just felt like some relationships were a little bit… too quick.
OVERALL
☂️
If You Still Recognise Me is a book I’m going to be recommending for years to come. With heartwarming relationships, a lovely place for family, platonic friendships, queer moments of joy and a whole lot of wholesome love mixed up with some more emotional, tougher moments, this was such a great YA contemporary read.
FINAL RATING : 4 stars!
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Did you read If You Still Recognise Me, or do you want to? What’s the last book you enjoyed? Let me know in comments!
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This is definitely joining my tbr pile, that sounds like exactly what I’d enjoy!! I recently read Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell which I loved, it’s the sequel to Carry On and I can’t wait to read the third one in the trilogy. Happy reading!!
AH YAY, my job here is done! Thank you so much for reading <3 I hope you'll love this one!
I haven't read Carry On (can you believe it?) maybe I should 🙈🙈
I hadn’t actually heard of this one before (you know I’m never up to date) and it sounds really interesting. As always, you really get me with the seaside visuals. Great review!
I feel like you could like this one! It’s kind of a quiet contemporary read, it really won my heart. Thank you so much, Kat <3
Amazing review! the theme and concept sounds really good and I enjoy balance of family and friendship in book. I really loved Some of it was real by Nan Fischer and Raybearer duology.
Oh thank you so, so much! I hope you’ll love this one. I need to read Raybearer sometime, it sounds SO good! 🙂
everything you said about this book is so appealing to me—the friendships, the family, everything!! (and fandom too, i keep forgetting that that’s a part of the book!). good to know about some relationships developing too quickly, i always have issues with that too haha. so happy you loved this book so much! <3
Aaah May, I have a feeling you’d ADORE this book (and I hope I’m right!). Thank you so, so much! <3