I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

A teen rom-com that is entertaining and a fast read when you need an escape from reality and to help you believe in happy endings. Sadie and Julius have been competing to be the best in their school since they first came to school as youngsters. Now, Sadie and Julius are co-captains of their school and getting ready to graduate. Unfortunately, Sadie’s emails that she drafts (but never sends) to vent her frustrations at teachers, fellow students, and most notably Julius are sent and now everyone knows that Sadie’s fake kindness is just that. The school’s headmaster decides that Julius and Sadie must work together to show the students and staff that there is no bad blood between them and everyone is getting along. Of course hilarious events ensue, including a house party where Sadie gets drunk and tells Julius she wants to kiss him and a school trip that ends up with Sadie and Julius tipping over their canoes as their competitive nature will not let either admit their feelings about the other. A silly high school rom-com that has moments of this would never happen in real life, but keeps the reader engaged because you are rooting for Sadie and Julius to finally admit their feelings and find happiness. 

Character List/Book Summary:

Sadie Wen – suspects that Julius has a fake accent when he is giving tours to parents. Is conditionally accepted to the college of her dreams.  Has the goal to be on amicable terms with everyone so she is polite to everyone’s face and agrees to help instead of saying no or telling people what she really thinks. Vents frustration at classmates and teachers in draft emails, which “accidentally” get sent. Kicks Julius when he tells her that he would never want to kiss her at the house party. Defends Julius to his brother after she hears his older brother saying that he is not as good as he is. 

Julius Gong – Tells Sadie that she is fake and he knew it with how nice she is to everyone once the emails get sent he tells Sadie that she is obsessed with him. When tasked with cleaning the shed he tries to make fun of the writing that insults Sadie on it. Is very curious about who Sadie has kissed before. When all of Sadie’s classmates bail on her at field day he runs the 1000 for her and then gives her the medal. Is hesitant to talk about his family with Sadie when they go to interview an alumni, his brother, for the yearbook. 

Abigail Ong – Sadie’s best friend, and feels that Sadie not trusting any man because her father left. Tries to help calm Sadie down after the emails are sent to everyone. Tries to tell Sadie something a few days later but is unable to. Convinces Sadie to throw a house party to help everyone forgive her. Tells Sadie that she should tell Julius how she feels about him, and tells Sadie she sent the emails on the school trip. 

Rosie  Wilson Wong – stole Sadie’s science fair project and now is requesting Sadie give her a copy of her history notes (color coded too) and her practice essays, and then asks she send it to her friends too. After the emails go out is mad at Sadie, but during the school trip tells Sadie to stop apologizing she was right in what she said about Rosie stealing the project. 

Ray Suzuki – tells Sadie that he did not do his part of the group project 15 minutes before it is due and she does his part for him. Dares Sadie to kiss Julius at the house party. Tells Sadie she did a good job picking Lake Averlore for the school trip. 

James Luo – Julius’s older brother, tells Sadie that Julius talks about her all the time. James implies that Julius is to follow in his brother’s successful footsteps. Sadie is not very impressed with James and defends Julius to him when she over hears him berate Julius for not being great. 

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